Key points:
- The number of players setting higher deposit limits has dropped
- Average loss per player has gone down
The Dutch Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has published statistics looking into the effect of new rules introduced in October to better protect players.
In general, in the first three months in which the rules have been active, there has been a positive impact on the market.
One of the rules revolved around limits on net deposits with players needing to contact the provider before setting a deposit limit of more than €150 ($157.43) for young adults, or €350 for adults, per month. This was put in place so providers could warn of the dangers of such high deposit limits.
As a result of the new rules, the number of players setting such high deposit limits has dropped to less than 50%, while contact from providers is said to have led to more players making their deposit limit lower.
Good to know: Earlier this month, the KSA provided additional guidance on mandatory means tests
There was also a rule regarding limits on net deposits. A provider will check when players deposit more than €300 (young adults) or €700 (adults), and if they can afford it. If they cannot or the check is not carried out, deposits must be blocked by the provider for the rest of that month.
The effect of this has been a drop from 9.7% to 3.8% of adult players depositing more than the deposit limits, and for young adults it has decreased from 12% to 2.8%. On top of this, the average loss per player account has gone from €117 to €83, as a result of the lower deposit limits.
The rules have led to the gross gaming result (BSR) of legal providers dropping by 10% after the introduction of the measures.
Figures suggest there has been a decrease in excessive gambling with legal providers as since the rules came in, the percentage of players who lost more than €1000 is now 1%, whereas prior to the rules the percentage was around 4%. Likewise, 91% of players only play with legal providers.
