KSA issues guidance on operator duty of care
Kansspelautoriteit, the Dutch Gambling Authority, has provided casino and gaming arcade operators with updated guidance on how best to implement their duty of care.
Key points:
– KSA updates its guidance on duty of care following an investigation, but has not introduced new rules
– The investigation did not reveal neglect of duty of care, but showed some areas for improvement
– New guidance includes explanations and examples of how best to implement duty of care in casinos and gaming arcades
Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch Gambling Authority, has updated and expanded the instructional resources available to casino and gaming arcade operators on how best to carry out their duty of care.
The new guidance follows a number of in-person investigations into how operators were executing current instructions.
While the investigation revealed no cases of operators outright neglecting the guidance included in the Dutch Gambling Act, it was thought that in some areas, some assistance and clarification could be useful.
Importantly, the update does not add new regulatory obligations to the checklist of operators, but merely provides improved tools that the KSA believe will assist licence holders in staying compliant with the existing regulatory framework.
Away from duty of care, the regulator has in fact revamped its licensing requirements, introducing new rules pertaining to exit plans and risk analysis – these rules will take effect from the start of 2026.
Good to know: Failing to meet the minimum duty of care requirements already outlined in the Gambling Act can prove costly, as discovered by an undisclosed operator in April 2025 – the fine issued was a record €734,000 ($870,000), but the operator obtained an injunction preventing the KSA from naming it
The new guidance includes explanations and examples of what arcades must do – there is even an animated video to raise awareness among arcade employees about duty of care.
KSA Chairman Michel Groothuizen said: “Certain key factors of the duty of care are easier to monitor for online providers than in brick-and-mortar casinos. In our conversations with arcade owners, we’ve noticed that they want to do more with the duty of care, but sometimes still struggle with its proper implementation. With this new guidance, supplemented with informational materials for employees, we’re giving them new tools to do so. In this way, we’re working together to ensure that players are optimally protected even at brick-and-mortar providers.”
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