Dutch gambling sector supports new “Avoid regrets, stop in time 18+” slogan
Combination of trade bodies vote on new proposals to replace “Play Consciously, 18+” tagline in country’s newly regulated online gambling market
“Avoid regrets, stop in time, 18+” is the new safer gambling slogan proposed by the country’s three major gambling trade associations in NOGA, VAN Kansspelen and VNLOK.
The Netherlands Ministry of Justice and Safety has been working in collaboration with Trimbos Institute of Mental Health and Addiction to find a new responsible gambling slogan to replace the current “Play Consciously, 18+” tagline.
The Trimbos Institute has suggested five alternatives in cooperation with behavioural experts to coincide with the launch of the country’s regulated online gambling market on 1 October 2021.
The decision to replace the existing messaging was made after MP Mei Li Vos requested “Play Consciously, 18+” be replaced with an “unambiguous and clear” slogan that outlined warnings over the risks of gambling addiction.
Trade associations NOGA, VAN Kansspelen and VNLOK – representing the 10 operators to receive a licence so far –jointly voted for the “Avoid regrets, stop in time, 18+” proposal.
The gaming industry had ordered independent research to develop an effective slogan, while seeking the advice of behavioural experts and independent scientists.
The industry initially recommended “Limit your deposit, know your limit, 18+” as the most suitable replacement, although this did not gain the support of the Trimbos Institute. As a result, “Avoid regrets, stop in time, 18+” has emerged as the most likely tagline to be imposed, with Trimbos scheduled to publish its findings soon.
“Both consumers and providers will benefit from clarity [of the new slogan] in the short term,” said the trade bodies. “The sector is capable of fully implementing this slogan in the short term.”