Netherlands Restricts Access to Online Gambling Licenses

The Dutch Remote Gaming Bill was the subject of this European nation's Senate debate this Tuesday.

In the aftermath of these discussions, some rather stern decisions regarding online gaming licenses have been made as a way to introduce order in this country's often criticized gaming market.

Netherlands' Minister of Justice, Sander Dekker, has written and signed his responses to three key questions posed during the debate.

Hunting Down the Hunters

One of these was the question of licensing foreign online gambling operators. Dekker suggested the solution that effectively excludes those (illegal) operators who continue to “actively pursue Dutch market” from the licensing process.

These operators – that Dekker openly called “cowboys” - are discerned from those deemed legal and conducting fair business by employing classic predatory techniques: incessant marketing to Dutch clients, usage of .nl Dutch domain and suggested use of the country's payment system, iDeal.

Netherlands' state regulator – Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) – would have a duty of putting such operators on a 'time out' for an unspecified duration...

...until amends have been made by the said operator and it becomes eligible for licensing – by ways of “showing good behavior during a consecutive period prior to the license application,” according to Justice Minister.

Caring For Youth

One ongoing issue with online gambling in the Netherlands is unregulated advertising. Operators holding a Dutch license will be forbidden to participate excessively in this, and especially target “socially vulnerable” members of society.

As a way of protecting minors and young adults, the regulator will prohibit the use of athletes, celebrities and other social media influencers as “brand ambassadors” for operators. Live sports event broadcasts on TV will be barred from displaying betting advertisements...

...with addition of a “total blackout” from 6 AM to 7 PM.

A Workaround

Until now, KSA's hands were relatively tied in terms of blocking unauthorized gambling operators...

...however, Dekker is hopeful that the new Bill will grant more power to the regulator, at least when dealing with marketing agencies, payment services and providers of any service that can alleviate illicit business by shady operators.

Next week will see the new round of the Remote Gaming Bill debate in the Dutch Senate, which will also discuss another pending bill on Holland Casino privatization. The governing body will assess Dekker's responses – if they are deemed valuable, there may be a vote on its approval as early as Tuesday, February 19th.

Source:

“Cowboys” won't be eligible for Dutch online gambling licenses”, calvinayre.com, February 8, 2019.