Dutch Minister of Legal Protection Frank Werwend and the Dutch Gambling Authority are calling for tougher measures regarding online gambling. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
New measures have been announced
The Dutch government is calling for stricter rules for online gambling to help protect players.
The two, led by Legal Protection Minister Frank Werwind and the Dutch Gambling Authority, also known as De Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), are trying to stem the rise in the number of problem gamblers in the Netherlands. Weerwind and Saudi Arabia announced new measures, including setting a monthly limit of €700 ($766) for online betting.
Allow gambling sites to ask players for “proof of income”
Saudi Arabia also wants to allow gambling sites to require players to provide “proof of income” if they deposit more than €700 per month. This is intended to determine whether players can afford what they are gambling on. For those between 18 and 24 years old, the maximum will be set at 300 euros ($328).
Currently, players in the Netherlands can set their own limits by simply registering with gambling sites. The new measures are not final yet, but are expected to be implemented next year.
Do more to help
In the Netherlands, 60,000 Dutch players were banned from gambling for six months. However, gambling companies often fail to detect the gambling habits of their customers, causing gamblers to spiral out of control.
Betting companies will have to detect excessive gambling within an hour
With the newly proposed measures, betting companies will have to detect excessive gambling within an hour. Companies will also need to engage with players and inform them of the potential risks and support available.
Since 2021, companies have been allowed to offer online gambling legally, but on the condition that they intervene when customers gamble too much. According to Saudi Arabia, betting organizations have not done enough, while a national anti-addiction adviser called for “rapid action”.
Setting the bar high
The Netherlands has taken firm steps to ensure that the gambling industry is a safe and fair place for gamblers.
In September 2021, it approved the first ten licenses for the online gambling market after the adoption of the Remote Gambling Law. At the time, Saudi Arabia President Rene Janssen said “high requirements” were being placed on license applicants, including addiction prevention and consumer protection.
Unlicensed betting companies that continue to provide services to Dutch players face fines in Saudi Arabia of up to 600,000 euros ($656,000). If their annual sales exceed 15 million euros ($16.4 million), Saudi Arabia will impose a fine of 4% of the aforementioned amount.
