-
Casinos for you
Half-Hearted Duty of Care Has Dutch Operators in KSA Cross Hairs
By Shane Addinall Jun 23, 2022 IndustryThe Dutch regulator warns operators of lurking intensified regulations if they continue failing their players. Are stringent gambling laws the only answer to managing a regulated market?Gambling operators in the Netherlands received a stern talking to from the country’s gaming authority. During his keynote speech at Gaming in Holland, René Jansen, KSA Chair, warned licensed operators of imminent government intervention if they continuously fail to protect vulnerable players.
The Dutch regulator takes a unique approach to manage its licence holders with verbal and public reminders of their duties to aid in creating a safe gambling space in the country. According to the Kansspelautoriteit’s chair, gambling companies hesitate to step in when at-risk players need them to, making tighter regulations are the obvious route.
Of late, operators in the European region face newly imposed advertising restrictions as lawmakers work toward perfecting the regulated market and completing an Addiction Prevention Decree.
Inadequate Duty of Care Practices
René Jansen points out that the issue lies with operators who view their duty of care protocols as mere administrative obligations. The KSA chair stresses that online gaming providers must take their responsibility seriously, otherwise the government will step in. As chairman of the board at the Dutch Gaming Authority, Jansen used the stage of the country’s gaming event to address the pressing matter. Jansen reprimanded operators during his keynote speech and said:
“I dare to predict that if it turns out that operators do not take their responsibility seriously enough, government intervention is lurking”.
Operators and players in the Netherlands have more freedom with certain regulatory requirements, as the government took a liberal stance to empower users and licensees. An example of this is that the KSA does not enforce deposit or wager limits. Instead, players can choose how they manage their gameplay and operators have the duty of care to step in when a player displays risky patterns.
The regulatory body believes operators dismiss this duty too easily and Jansen warns of intensified supervision and intervention if providers don’t step up.
Responsibility in Freedom
Part of the Duty of Care statutes in the Dutch jurisdiction include recommendations on how operators need to create risk profiles of each customer. This helps them to notice risky behaviour when flagged players show signs of compulsive gambling. The KSA urges operators to intervene sooner and curb gambling harm more effectively.
The Netherlands chose the alternative route and gave its players and operators the freedom of choice. Right now it seems like many choose to abuse this freedom and it may lead to further changes in regulations for Dutch operators. As the liberal lawmakers’ patience runs out, Jansen warns:
“We will not hesitate to intervene immediately if there are concrete signs that indicate that operators are not complying with the duty of care”.
Recent reports on the Dutch market showed a significant portion of the demographic includes young citizens and considering the country’s goal to create a safe space for gambling, the government motioned to ban celebrity and role-model endorsements. Could the intensified supervision Jansen threaten operators with lead to compulsory limits in the jurisdiction?
You might also like