STIOG proposed CEN Responsible Gaming measures to the government in a position paper
A proposed Dutch law aimed at regulating online gambling in this European country has been making progress and a well-known industry expert Andrew Beveridge, chief executive of eCOGRA, has been recently mentioned in media for his role in the headway of the draft.
It transpired that Beveridge also chairs the CEN Workshop Agreement for Responsible Remote Gambling published by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and recommended for consideration to the Dutch government by the Netherlands trade association Stichting Online Gaming Nederland (STIOG) in a position paper containing the essential consumer protection measures.
Relying on his rich experience in player protection and achievement of standards with eCOGRA, Beveridge has contributed to the development of regulatory framework working jointly with the responsible licensing jurisdictions.
STIOG focuses on several key recommendations in its position paper submitted to the government, underlining that the CEN-developed measures should be deployed as a basis for the regulatory requirements that will help make Dutch online gambling a safe, responsible and fair pastime for internet punters and a viable business for operators.
The government's drafting program included consultations with STIOG prior to submission of the position paper. It has been announced that the mid-2011 has been set as the timeframe for presenting the final version of the proposed law to the Dutch parliament.
The position paper contains the following practical measures of the CEN responsible gambling: ensuring the protection of vulnerable players; the exclusion of minors; anti-fraud precautions; data and privacy protection; safe and efficient financial transactions; gambling that is both fair and administered with integrity; ensuring player sensitivity and respect; responsible marketing, carried out in a professional manner; and the creation of a reliable, efficient and businesslike operational environment.
In addition, STIOG included other relevant issues in its submission to the government such as fair and transparent licensing methods, taxation rates, maintaining international player liquidity, return-to-player suggestions, embracing internet sports betting, media and advertising policy, enforcement against unlicensed operators and IT proposals.
The Secretary of State Fredrik Teeven and other senior government experts are in charge of consideration of the STIOG’s recommendations. A public report will be issued regarding the position paper submitted by STIOG after the government completes the review and consideration of its recommendations.
