The Dutch Gaming Authority Petitions to Create False Identity Documents

In your favourite spy movie or police drama, the heroic peacekeeper often goes undercover to crack down on crime. To ensure their protection, this means creating fake identities and the documentation needed to support them should a clandestine agency do a background check.

A recently revealed legislative letter sent to the Dutch Minister for Legal Protection by the Gaming Authority (Ksa) proves that even esteemed lawmakers watch these shows and take their crime-fighting inspiration from them.

Facts Petition to Create a Dutch 007

The original James Bond character from the spy novels and films was known for sitting across from his nemesis, drinking a martini, and playing high-stakes baccarat. The Netherlands lawmaker is looking to do something less flashy but far more likely to get immediate results.

The Ksa has petitioned Minister Weerwind to consider allowing them to create legal false identities as part of the upcoming 2024 review and amendment of the Remote Gambling Act (KOA).

They describe their reasoning as follows:

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“The Ksa has the authority to use false proof of identity to see whether providers of games of chance comply with the rules.”

In short, only the National Office for Identity Data has the authority to produce and distribute a fake ID, and only under specific legal circumstances. The law must be changed because it prevents Ksa from having this foundation.

With this amendment to KOA, the Ksa could obtain the identity information required to access provider websites. The IDs would need to be changed frequently to avoid operators recognising them. With this modification, the Ksa can more effectively and efficiently monitor legal activity while acting against illegal activity.

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“Online license holders are obliged to include a selection of the data from their gaming systems in their data vault, the Control Database.”

In this instance, the Ksa can only use these resources for enforcement and supervision, not analysis and research. The Ksa will be able to use them more effectively if the Minister agrees to the requested legal update, as the change allows the Ksa to gather trustworthy data and decide what areas to concentrate on for supervision and enforcement. They will also be able to offer suggestions that will result in better gambling policies for the country.

More Details More Than Just Spy Craft on the Table

The legislative letter included two other topics which the Ksa felt deserved more attention in the revised gambling act.

Updating the Involuntary CRUKS Submission Process: If the players' immediate family members or the gambling operators ask, the Central Register of Exclusion from Games of Chance (Cruks) can ban players from gambling games without their consent. This option is hardly ever used, though. Since so few people are involuntarily removed from the register, it doesn't appear to affect the fight against gambling addiction. The Ksa thinks the procedure needs to be simplified, and the involuntary removal period of six months needs to be longer.
Updating Slot Regulations: Slot machine regulations need to be updated and better aligned with the laws and technology of today. The Ksa suggests modernising these laws to resemble those governing virtual gambling more closely.

The Ksa believes that by giving them the power to investigate the actions of licensed and unregulated operators and addressing the two touchpoints above, the Netherlands will continue to develop as a gambling jurisdiction that "properly protects and informs the Dutch player and counteracts abuses”.