Dutch gambling regulator outlines new “Regulator 2.0” approach
The KSA says it wants a more open and flexible relationship with the gaming industry.
The Netherlands.- The Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has pledged to adopt a new Regulator 2.0’ approach to its duties. Speaking at the Gaming in Holland conference in Amsterdam, Renske Fikkers, the head of the KSA’s regulatory department, said the regulator was moving to a more open and flexible structure.
The regulator is increasing communication with operators. This includes communicating by name and attempts to engage witih operators to find solutions to problems.
Fikkers said: “We want to get rid of the image of the unreachable, rigid regulator exclusively focused on infringements and fines, and move more and more towards an open and flexible organisation that finds creative solutions to difficult problems.
“The conversations we have with you are part of that, as is the recently started communicating by name. The parties that may have received less desirable attention in that context have all been very cooperative and see the added value of the process. For example, a warning to one party now sets an example for the rest.”
Fikkers suggested that the regulator expects to see the same change reflected in operators, mentioning the upcoming round of online gaming licence renewals next year. “The evolution towards regulator 2.0 will hopefully also lead to a lot of licence holders 2.0 in the next licensing round in 2026 and beyond,” he said. “Our colleagues are already talking to industry associations and others about the potential challenges you may face in these licence applications.
“I want to stress that this is a process we want to work through with you, to make it as smooth as possible on both sides. At the same time, I would also like to impress on you that those who were previously deemed suitable to offer are not automatically accepted as such in the next round. When assessing applications, we take previous history into account: good and bad. The KSA has stated more than once recently that some behaviours are unacceptable and could affect licence renewal. These are not empty words on our part.
Fikkers welcomed the industry’s cooperative attitude so far as shown in round tables over the past year, saying that those conversations were of great value. “We understand that imposed measures sometimes require adaptability and that post-implementation there are obstacles or ambiguities that we could not have anticipated beforehand,” he said. “Being able to have an open conversation about that helps us further strengthen our regulation.
He also noted that the KSA had also had more frequent direct contact with operators, engaging immediately when it has questions or concerns. “These talks have a lot of effect; infringements are quickly stopped and communicating openly about them sets an example for other operators as well,” he said.
Consumer protection
Meanwhile, Fikkers noted that the KSA is taking a greater role in consumer protection, with a new internal programme on gambling-related harm looking to growing and professionalising Loket Kansspel and setting up awareness campaigns on the dangers of gambling.
“We continuously draw attention to the so-called Gokstop with targeted campaigns, in order to raise awareness of the Cruks Register,” he said. “And in the reorganisation later this year, we will turn this gambling-related harm programme into its own, independent department, so that we can make even greater strides in player protection.”
He also mentioned state secretary Teun Struycken’s renewed vision of the gambling market. The fate of proposed Dutch gambling reforms is now in doubt following the collapse of the coalition government, but Struycken, an independent, remains in his role. Fikkers issued a warning to the industry, suggesting that its compliance was essential to avoid stricter regulations.
He said: “Where at first we looked at gambling as a game with possible negative consequences, we are more and more considering it a high risk product. The ministry even called it’s new vision a ‘fundamental change of direction’.
“The main premise here is to protect all citizens from the risks of the negative effects of gambling, such as addiction or debt. This includes an extra focus on minors and young adults. This change of direction is partly driven by the idea that current policies do not currently protect people adequately.
“This simply means one thing: laws and regulations will become stricter and operators’ room for manoeuvre will be further restricted. There is talk of raising the minimum age to 21 for high-risk gambling, and overarching deposit limits. Advertising for high-risk gambling may also be further restricted.
“Of course, when all these intentions were announced, you made sure your opinions were clearly heard. We legalised the online gambling market in the Netherlands because politicians believed people will gamble anyway, in which case it’s better if they can do so safely. If you look at the size of the illegal market, including for 2021, I’m quite willing to go along with that.
“So the initial priority was to establish an attractive legal market, where it would be worthwhile for operators to invest money in gaining a market share. Operating legally has to be profitable. But politicians are increasingly backtracking on that premise, partly because of what we are seeing in your organisations.
“The same goes for advertising: I still see far too often that advertising rules are not properly followed. The subsequent outrage over this makes a total ban on advertising an increasingly realistic option. Which is still undesirable as far as the KSA is concerned.”
https://focusgn.com/dutch-gambling-regulator-outlines-new-regulator-2-0-approach