Dutch regulator proposes new risk-based sports betting restrictions
KSA details betting market procedure for licensees as well as extending AML obligations to online operators
The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has proposed restrictions on sports betting operators offering specific types of betting markets.
Under the new rules, offering markets on youth matches, and on a negative or easily manipulated event during a competition, is prohibited by licensed operators.
Free sports events and any sports which the relevant competition organiser or an interested party might have a material influence on are also prohibited.
These new standards have been added to the so-called ‘Wwft’ guidelines, which govern AML and counter terrorism financing transactions conducted within the Dutch licensed market.
Currently, these provisions only apply to Holland Casino, the country’s sole land-based operator, but this has now been extended and enhanced to additionally cover online firms following a consultation.
The KSA has previously attempted to push through a ban on betting on certain markets including tennis (winning or losing games and sets) and football (first throw in, yellow and red cards, first corner kick and fouls), together with betting on head-to-head contests, due to match-fixing concerns.
However, these events are absent from the final regulations.
To determine whether betting on a sporting event is at a high risk of manipulation, the KSA said operators should conduct a risk analysis of the potential for match fixing and integrity issues.
“For example, the games of chance provider can periodically make the risk inventory prior to a competition to determine which bets will be offered and determine whether to offer it shortly before the match or if an intended bet on that match can go ahead,” the KSA explained.
“If the risk inventory at competition level shows that there are hardly any or no risks of match fixing or money laundering for the concerning competition, it is not necessary to perform a risk inventory for every game in that competition.”
Regulators from the KSA used the consultation responses to clarify parts of the existing guidelines specifically for online operators, espousing a risk-based approach to AML enforcement.
Online operators are also obliged to report suspicious transactions to the regulator for investigation.