Dutch Online Gambling Act Delayed to Late 2021

The Dutch regulated market has once more been delayed with the new launch date set for October 2021. 

The Dutch Remote Gambling Act (KOA) was expected to come into force early March but has been pushed to the 1st  of April.  

Minister for Legal Protection Sander Dekker stated that a push is necessary to create a stronger environment of regulations.  

 Third Setback 

The Dutch Remote Gambling Act (KOA) has been pushed not once but three times since it was first announced. The KOA was initially scheduled to enter into law on the 1st of July 2020 with the market opening in January 2021.  

By November 2019 the act was pushed back by six months leaving its market launch set for July 2021. In September 2020, the launch was pushed again with the Act only expected to come into effect on the 1st of March 2021. This was after preparations to launch were disrupted by the current COVID-19 pandemic.  

Now, for the third and hopefully final time, the launch has been delayed and expected to come into force nine months later than originally planned. Dekker has already stated that despite the various delays in other departments, the cross-channel self-exclusion scheme Cruks will be ready by 1 October.  

Dekker continued that all conditions from the anticipated timeline with regards to the introduction of Cruks are still met and all providers are expected to implement the scheme by 1 October 2021.  

 Examining the Impact on Lottery Sales 

In response to questions from Dutch MPs, Dekker said the government would commission a report examining how the legalisation of iGaming in other European countries impacted lottery sales.  

According to Dekker a causal relationship between the two markets is unlikely. He used the UK and Norway as an example where lottery sales increased when legal online gaming launched. And Italy and Denmark as reference points for where the complete opposite happened.  

He ended stating that the Dutch online gaming market will be reviewed after three years. If it is believed that lottery sales have declined due to the KOA, then a mandatory levy could be implemented on sports and good causes in order to make up for lost proceeds.  

 What to Expect in the Future 

The Cruks self-exclusion program is one of the highlights and a focal point which is required to be implemented by all operators who wish to enter the legal market. Cruks also performs all the necessary checks, removing the burden operators have of keeping track of player movements. 

Another major change will be the range of restrictions implemented on bonuses that operators are allowed to offer. Gambling advertisement is also restricted to between 6 am and 9 pm daily.  

Other new regulatory additions include operators being required to implement addiction prevention policies and a maximum credit on accounts. 

With no more setbacks or delays, the new Dutch iGaming market is expected to launch on the 1st of October 2021.