The KSA Chairman has now doubled down on these concerns and recalled a roundtable discussion in the Netherlands’ House of Representatives on 9 June.
This discussion, wrote Jansen, concluded that channelisation efforts have been largely successful but determined “there is still a lot of work to be done,” particularly in regard to those licensed operators who “look for the edges of the law.”
Given this behaviour, continued the Chairman, the sector’s capacity to self-regulate has now been brought into question. Jansen said: “This raises the question of the extent to which the sector as a whole is capable of self-regulation and individual suppliers are prepared to behave responsibly.
“That behaviour should be: not looking to make a quick buck without considering the potentially harmful effects of gambling.”
Consequently, the KSA is launching an “in-depth supervisory study” regarding licensees’ addiction prevention policies, both on paper and in practice, said Jansen. He added: “The KSA will not hesitate to intervene quickly if there is reason to do so.”
But overall, Jansen believes that it was right to legalise and regulate online gambling, calling it “a wise decision.”
“I would think we shouldn’t be fooled now,” he said. “The intention was and is to create a safe environment for people who want to participate in an online game of chance. Legal providers must ensure that safe environment.”
