Key points:
- Concerns over problem gambling have caused regulators to evaluate if changes are needed
- Fikkers asked those at the conference to do the right thing and consider measures that will protect players
Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) Head of Market Supervision Renske Fikkers recently has given speech at Gaming In Holland, addressing problem gaming concerns, as well as those voiced by operators.
Following some pleasantries and opening remarks, Fikkers got to the heart of the matter, “the renewed vision on the gambling market by the State Secretary, and its possible consequences.”
Fikkers discussed the changes in the gaming industry and their potential impact on society.
She said: “State Secretary Struycken presented a renewed vision of the gambling market last year. This view is in line with the changing view on gambling that we are also increasingly seeing in society.
“Where at first we looked at gambling as a game with possible negative consequences, we are more and more considering it a high-risk product.”
According to Fikkers, regulators are taking another look at player protection measures and how problem gambling might fit into the equation.
Several ideas have been presented, including raising the legal gambling age to 21.
She further commented: “The main premise here is to protect all citizens from the risks of the negative effects of gambling, such as addiction or debt.
“This includes an extra focus on minors and young adults.This change of direction is partly driven by the idea that current policies do not currently protect people adequately.”
Fikkers encouraged those who were hearing her words to make wise choices when it comes to combatting program gambling.
“Please, do the right thing and put those safeguards against problem gambling in place so that I can hand over the baton to my successor Michel Groothuizen with a clear conscience, knowing that he will be speaking to a room full of licensed operators once again next year,” she said. “I'm not Michel, but I am facing a large group of licensed operators. That part worked out well. But the first part of his statement resonated with me: the sentiment about the market depends in part on the choices you make.”
Fikkers concluded her remarks by assuring local operators that their concerns have been heard and not overlooked.
She said in closing: “I realise that this renewed vision of the gambling market does not always make it easy for operators. You have made your opinions clearly heard about the measures announced and the rise of the illegal market. The KSA is not blind to that. With the significant steps we are now taking as an organisation, we are making every effort to better protect consumers.
“We will do that by looking with you at enhancing the duty of care, by making consumers aware of the dangers of gambling and better informing problem players, and by cracking down harder on the illegal market. By focusing on those three pillars, we are working towards a stable, safe gambling market that is worthwhile for operators but that focuses above all on the safety of Dutch players.”
