Michel Groothuizen, president of Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), highlighted on iGB Live the development of the Dutch gambling market since 2015. During this period, he was at the Ministry of Justice, which resulted in the creation of the KSA as a regulatory authority in the region.
Groothuizen mentioned: “A lot has happened since I worked on the archive and therefore there is still a lot for me to learn. I look forward to the conversations I will have today and in the future with online gaming operators, fellow international regulators, legislators and regulators, among others, many of whom I am sure are already here.”
Groothuizen‘s aim is to support the implementation of the new government and its proposals to amend the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) as the Dutch framework continues to evolve.
Consumer protection and combating illegal gambling
He also confirmed the continuity of Rene Jansen‘s mandate. Furthermore, strict regulations are being used to protect Dutch consumers in the gambling sector.
In this way, higher standards of duty of care are implemented. Furthermore, there is stricter enforcement against unlicensed operators.
In his speech at the event in Amsterdam, Groothuizen stated: “Today, as befits a good regulator, I will do no differently. I will be happy to discuss with you how the Authority (KSA) will further enhance its oversight of online duty of care next year , and as we’ve already made an initial foray into this with the new policy rule.”
Groothuizen was emphatic in his determination to deal with unlicensed operators. He cited them as the “pirates of the industry” and added that, furthermore, these operators don’t seem to shy away from anything.
These operators were spoofing the KSA logo in campaigns. Furthermore, they were secretly advertising via Google Maps, with the aim of reaching the very vulnerable group of players registered on the national exclusion register (CRUKS).
International cooperation
Groothuizen emphasized that the fight against illegal gambling does not stop at the border, highlighting the importance of international cooperation and knowledge sharing. He mentioned KSA’s participation in the Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF) and the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR).
KSA has signed memorandums of understanding with regulators in Belgium, France, Malta, Sweden and the United Kingdom to enhance cooperation by enabling data and information sharing. Joint enforcement actions and the adoption of best practices in combating illegal gaming are also part of Groothuizen’s plans.
Monitoring against illegal gambling in the Netherlands
Furthermore, Groothuizen supports the new measures from October 1st, which will impose mandatory monthly deposit limits of €350 and €150 for under-25s, as a means of “putting an end to excessive gambling as quickly as possible”.
He highlighted the importance of ‘real-time’ monitoring of gaming behaviors. “We will continue to press this in our discussions with the secretary of state. We are interested in the advertising regulations that have already been introduced and their effectiveness.
In our latest research into the state of the Netherlands market, I saw that the ban on non-targeted advertising has resulted in non-gamblers being less likely to visit a betting site. I look forward to seeing if we can draw the same conclusion again in our next report, because it says something about the effectiveness of the legislation.”
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