Key points:
- The new player protection measures will include deposit limits and real-time monitoring
- VNLOK supports the measures but warns against over-regulation, which could push players toward illegal gambling sites
Starting today, several new regulations aimed at enhancing player protection in online gambling will come into effect. These regulations hope to provide additional safeguards against potential risks associated with online gambling.
These measures, introduced under the Responsible Gaming Policy Rule, are designed to provide greater safeguards against gambling-related risks by focusing on real-time monitoring of player behaviour and fostering greater awareness of responsible gambling.
A key feature includes the introduction of a threshold for deposits, set at €700 ($775) per month for most players, and €300 for young adults. If a player exceeds these limits, further deposits will be blocked until the end of the calendar month.
Additionally, operators are required to assess whether a player's financial capacity justifies continued deposits at this level, hoping to add an extra layer of protection.
In parallel, regulation from the Ministry of Justice and Security mandates that players wishing to set higher monthly limits – over €350 for adults or €150 for young adults – can only do so after making direct contact with the provider.
During this interaction, the risks of excessive gambling and available support services – such as the Gambling Desk and the Central Exclusion Register (Cruks) – are emphasised.
New in-game interventions are also being introduced. This will see players receiving pop-up reminders every 30 minutes, informing them of their total playtime. Additionally, players will be notified once they reach 50% of their self-imposed gaming limit, and they will be logged out automatically upon reaching the full-time limit.
Commenting on these changes, Helma Lodders, Chair of VNLOK, stated: “VNLOK members have already taken extra-legal measures to provide additional protection for players. For example, with the Advertising Code for Online Gambling or stricter gaming limits for young adults.
“VNLOK is therefore in favour of proven effective measures that keep the Dutch online gambling market safe and responsible.”
Lodders also went on to give a warning about the risks of overregulation, however, stating: “With separate amendments to the law, the government ensures that the coherence in legislation and regulations disappears. In addition, a number of measures impose higher thresholds for participation in online gambling. This reduces the legal supply and increases the appeal of illegal gambling sites.
“Well-intentioned measures can thus have a counterproductive effect. It is important to carefully monitor the balance between strict regulation and preventing over-regulation from leading to an increase in illegal supply.”
