The Dutch Gaming Authority or Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has kicked off the application process for operators who wish to take over the nation’s horse race betting monopoly.

Accepting in-person wagers on horse racing in the Netherlands requires a special ‘totalisator’ licence, and is operated as a legal monopoly, with ZEbetting & Gaming Nederland BV having held the right since 1998.

However, the company’s licence is set to expire on 30 June 2022, so the KSA has announced the start of the application process for a new licence to cover the five-year period from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2027.

Between 1 to 30 November 2021, operators will be allowed to submit their applications, with a processing fee of €32,000 ($37,000) to be paid in advance.

The process is split into two phases, with the first assessing applicants on their legal form and location, continuity, internal supervision, reliability, integrity policy and demonstrable experience with offline sports betting.

If more than one candidate remains following the first phase, which the watchdog aims to complete by mid-January 2022, then lots will be drawn by a notary to determine who shall be awarded the monopoly.

The new totalisator licence will come with several stipulations, including a commitment to offer bets using a pari-mutuel or pool system, only accepting in-person wagers and a payment obligation for Dutch trotting and racing.

This news was shortly followed by another announcement from the KSA, declaring its intention to inspect a number of slot machines throughout the months of October and November 2021 to ensure compliance with the nation’s new registration requirements.

Since 1 April, slot machine arcades have been obliged to record data about possible excessive play and from 1 October, they have also been required to record the visiting frequency of players.