Netherlands KSA Chair Warns Against Gambling 'Income Policy'

Key Takeaways:

KSA Chair Michel Groothuizen cautioned against Dutch gambling regulation becoming 'income policy'.
Groothuizen proposed including CCBR-registered individuals in Cruks for enhanced protection.
He emphasized respecting personal choice in gambling spending, despite financial risks.
Proposed reforms include an online gambling adverts and bonuses ban.
Stricter duty of care and centralised deposit limits are also part of proposed reforms.

Michel Groothuizen, Chair of the Netherlands gambling authority (KSA), has urged Dutch legislators to prevent gambling regulations from evolving into an 'income policy' for the country's gambling market. He also put forward a proposal to enhance player protection for vulnerable individuals.

Regulating Personal Choice and Financial Risk

Groothuizen's comments, detailed in a blog post on the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) website, addressed the increasing normalisation and accessibility of iGaming and sports betting, a trend seen across the online gambling in Netherlands market. He expressed concern over the ease with which individuals can incur significant financial difficulties rapidly, whether through legal or illegal operators, particularly with smartphone access. Despite these risks, Groothuizen stressed that the government should not dictate how the public spends their money, advocating for respect for personal choice. He stated: “Whether gambling becomes a problem depends, at least in part, on the money a gambler has to spend. Nevertheless, it is difficult, and in my view also undesirable, to conduct income policy through gambling regulation. How much should people be allowed to gamble away? Should the government be allowed to decide that for them at all? I am very wary of infringing upon the freedom of choice of citizens and of making distinctions based on income alone.” He further added: “It is difficult, and in my view also undesirable, to conduct income policy through gambling regulation.”

Enhanced Player Protection Measures

The KSA Chair's remarks align with proposed government reforms aimed at strengthening player protection. These reforms include implementing an online gambling adverts and online casino bonus offers ban, raising the minimum age for high-risk online games to 21, and centralising deposit limits across licensed websites. Additionally, the proposals seek to introduce stricter duty of care requirements for operators and broaden the KSA's enforcement powers to block illegal operators. Groothuizen highlighted that gambling companies in the Dutch market are already mandated to verify customer income streams and financial capacity to prevent money laundering and ensure duty of care, working within the broader iGaming licensing framework. He acknowledged that while this generally prevents people from gambling beyond their means, certain groups warrant additional protection.

Expanding Exclusion Register for Vulnerable Individuals

Groothuizen specifically addressed the Netherlands' gambling exclusion register, Cruks, which allows for voluntary or involuntary registration for a minimum of six months. He supported the State Secretary’s proposal to extend this exclusion period to a year. Crucially, he proposed that all individuals registered in the central curatorship and administration register (CCBR) should be automatically included in Cruks for the duration of their protective administration or curatorship. He noted that a similar system is already in place in online gambling in Belgium, offering “optimal protection to an extremely vulnerable group.” Groothuizen concluded by quoting an addict who found relief in Cruks, stating: “We cannot close the door to the liquor store for the alcoholic, but we can certainly lock the door to the (legal) casino for the (future) addict.”