The Netherlands has always been on the opposing side of the iGaming industry and is known for strict regulations towards gambling as a whole. The most recent measure will ban untargeted ads and reward a hefty fine to any offenders. Frank Weerwind, the Dutch minister for legal protection, announced the newest measure.

 Phase One

As per Weerwind's request, as of 2023, all untargeted gambling ads will proceed to be banned in a multi-phase roll-out program. This subtle way of easing out iGaming advertisements forces operators to place their ads online under strict government monitoring.

Weerwind noted the following during his presentation of this proposal:

Quote

"[This is an] important step towards further curbing gambling advertisements. Advertising directs people to legal offers, but the importance of addiction prevention outweighs it. With this, I want to protect vulnerable groups such as young people in particular."

The proposal was presented due to Weerwind's opinion that self-regulation trade bodies were insufficient to impose the needed restrictions - the restrictions that Weerwind wants.

 Phase Two

The next step will take place in 2024, including the restrictions applied to game operators from sponsoring sports events and everything, including shirts, banners, billboards, and venue branding.

Weerwind's proposal was delivered shortly after he voiced his opinion regarding the threat young people face by seeing untargeted gambling advertisements on TV.

It all sounds too much like a powerful man, being more power-hungry - as they do - to control what we watch, listen to, spend our free time, and search on the internet we pay for.

 Not Phased

A perfect example of how 'saying you can't have anything just makes you want it more' is the increased number of punters accessing black market gambling during the World Cup due to their laws on gambling.

iGaming is a regulated industry; therefore, it has a right to post advertisements on different platforms to allow viewers to make up their minds and opinions about it. Let us look at some basic rights. Dutch people have freedom of expression, religion and belief, and internet freedom.

Weerwind noted the following in early 2023 regarding his opinion on the current position of gambling in the Netherlands: Trade associations have an important, "ultimately limited" effect on gambling advertisements, what they publish, and to where. This comment sounds like: "Making it a choice to do ad placements are great, except you are not making the right choices, so let's take your choice away."

If the Netherlands trusts players to play at legal and licensed casinos, they should also trust them to be able to choose when they do so – even if they see an ad or two along the way. Licensed online casinos should also be trusted to ensure that players have access to responsible gambling tools and that only those of legal gambling age should be allowed to play at all.