KSA chair implores Netherlands to implement stricter deposit limits
René Jansen states the Netherlands should follow the lead of other European nations in bringing in tighter limits on gambling
Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) chairman René Jansen has stated that the regulator should impose maximum deposit limits similar to other European nations.
In a blog post on the KSA’s website, Jansen argued that while the KSA’s laws and regulations do not differ much from other regulated markets, it could do more to protect players from potential gambling harm.
Jansen commented that following an investigation by the regulator at the beginning of August into how laws in 21 European countries work in regard to playing limits, the Netherlands should do more to protect players by implementing tighter deposit limits.
He said that this research was commissioned because there were concerns over how operators are conducting themselves in terms of duty of care.
Jansen said: “I advocate that we in the Netherlands also move toward tighter limits on gambling behaviour and expenditure by means of a deposit limit prescribed by the government.
“[Operators] have not shown enough of their own volition to be on the cautious side when it comes to protecting their customers. The vast majority of Dutch players simply do not have very large financial margins. A financial limit prevents excesses,” he added.
Jansen also stated that he is unsure whether the regulator offers enough protection to players with the current interpretation of the laws.
He said the Netherlands should look at nations such as Spain, Belgium, Norway and Germany for examples of how to impose tighter restrictions on play.
He said: “The exact height of a maximum limit is a tricky one because we don’t want illegal providers to profit from too strong barriers to play. For the same reason, it should also be possible for players to deviate from the limit if they can demonstrate sufficient resources.
“A combination of measures such as these (to be worked out in more detail) would also make the supervision of the KSA easier and therefore more effective. Choices in this area are, of course, only up to the legislator,” Jansen concluded.
The Dutch online market went live on 1 October 2021 and is welcoming back previously barred heavyweights such as Kindred and Entain.