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EU Online Gambling Regulators Continue to Pursue Safer Player Environments
By Shane Addinall Oct 01, 2023 IndustryLearn more about the latest updates to the online gambling regulations and proposed player limitations from Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. These will influence when and where you can play and will impact market channelisation.Across Europe, we have seen regional gambling regulators sharing information and best practices on how to create the safest and most sustainable market for players while supporting the growth of license holders.
Here are three crucial amendments recently introduced into the conversion for Germany, the Netherlands and Italy, which will impact how you gamble online and force decisions on whether playing at a locally approved casino outweighs your right to choose when and where to spend your time and money.
Germany Launches Education Initiative and Deposit Limits
The German Gambling Authority (GGL) has committed to creating an environment of transparency and open communication around gambling regulation and safer gambling news in the country.
Quote“GGL is supporting this annual day of action by providing an information brochure in which all player protection measures of the GlüNeuRStv 2021 are presented in a consumer-friendly and clear manner.”
Ronald Benter, the GGL Chief Executive, clarified that the organisation believes that the community needs to be informed to make responsible gambling decisions. This will allow them to recognise legal gambling offers better and use that information to avoid unlicensed operators.
One of the recently introduced gaming limitations has been a government-imposed imposed €1000 monthly deposit limit. This new deposit limit is applied at a customer level, not an account level. It has raised concerns about market channelisation taking a hit as capped players look offshore for casinos to join when they can no longer legally deposit at a GGL-approved casino.
Dutch Agency Proposes New Player Limits
The agency for addressing addiction in the Netherlands, the NRV, has raised concerns about the safety of the Dutch gambling community. The NRV provided the Ministry of Justice with a comprehensive 22-point outline of its concerns and a series of recommendations aimed at addressing the same.
While the NRV’s intentions are good, one of their suggestions has raised the ire of players and caused contention between Dutch ministers. The point in question was a call for an “overarching playing limit system”, quoting Germany’s new legislation as its model. If approved, this would see the government impose their ideals on bet limits, deposit levels, time in the casinos and more, regardless of the player's personal preferences and financial position.
Legal Protections Minister Franc Weerwind has come out against the proposal, claiming that player privacy, their right to self-determination, and technical limitations make it a non-starter.
Quote“If there is a suspicion of excessive gaming behaviour, the licence holder is obliged to check whether the player can afford his gambling behaviour. If the licence holder fails to do so, the licence holder is liable for the damage caused by the excessive gambling behaviour.”
The NRV has countered, arguing that the government should at least test a uniform control scheme with licensed online casinos to protect consumers better.
Italy’s 4th Attempt at Gambling Revision
As a part of the reorganisation of the Italian online gambling sector, the government is attempting its fourth iteration of its Gambling Act by launching a special task force under the auspices of the Ministry of the Economy and Finance to modernise the market.
These updates will see the installation of new and more player-centric standards for bet limits, gaming machine payouts, minimum training and development requirements for casino staff, and intensive reviews of acceptable betting practices.
The betting sector, in particular, requires an immediate ban on betting on youth events and new legislation addressing bonus management and palpable error handling. The country’s Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has been tasked with managing these areas of concern as they have plagued the market since it was first regulated in 2006.
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