On June 3, the Dutch official gazette published new gambling rules that came into force. The measures include new financial checks when players deposit more than a certain amount.
KSA, the Dutch gambling regulator, noted that the policy has come into force. However, they will enforce some gambling rules starting October 1. This is to allow operators time to make changes to their IT systems and to recruit more staff if needed. Operators must implement financial checks when players aged 18 to 24 deposit more than €300 or when players aged over 24 deposit more than €700 by October 1.
Operators need to verify that players can afford the amounts they deposit. If operators determine that a player cannot afford such a loss, they must block the player’s future deposits. This block will last for one calendar month. Operators can make exceptions to the limit only in specific circumstances. It includes those professional poker players that need to make a larger deposit for a tournament.
Other new measures include closer real-time monitoring of player behavior for both land-based and online gambling. Within an hour of identifying signs of harmful gambling behavior no matter at what time it occurs, operators must intervene. Operators must monitor signs such as extended hours of gambling at night, gambling for more than six hours per day, continuous betting, and repeat deposits.
NOGA or The Netherlands Online Gambling Association warned the country’s parliament of the risks of further restrictions on the industry. Publishing IPSOS new research, it noted that strict measures may be counterproductive. It potentially harms channelization to the legal market.
The fourth Dutch Online Gambling Barometer study found that consumers would be willing to unlicensed operators if faced with many restrictions. The study found that nearly half of at-risk gamblers are unwilling to show proof of income to gamble online.
