The new code establishes rules and best practices to strengthen data protection in the online gambling sector, setting long-term protection standards aimed at reinforcing the sector’s compliance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Speel Verantwoord, a trade organisation that advocates for safe and responsible online gambling in the Netherlands, is now publicly endorsing the code, promoting it to existing members and encouraging other industry players to sign-up.
“Speel Verantwoord applauds [the] EGBA for its ground-breaking initiative,” said Speel Verantwoord MD, Peter-Paul De Goeij. “Data protection is of an ever-increasing importance, especially in the online gambling industry. This code can serve as a good supplement to local Dutch GDPR requirements and it will increase trust that players will have in their operator of choice.
“We therefore endorse this code and join EGBA wholeheartedly it its endeavours to protect player’s personal data whilst at the same time enabling operators to handle sensitive information [in] the best interest of their customers and ensuring data is kept safe and uncompromised.”
In addition to supporting GDPR compliance, the new code of conduct forms a part of the EGBA’s wider efforts to improve national online gambling standards through supporting the proper application of portability rights, transparency, protecting against breaches in personal data and detecting fraud, among other provisions.
EGBA secretary general Maarten Haijer commended Speel Verantwoord on its commitment to protecting the personal data rights of Dutch citizens, adding that the association is pleased to be one of Europe’s first digital sectors to introduce a self-regulatory code for data protection which also supports compliance with the GDPR.
“This code will ensure that customers understand how their personal data is being used and provides important guidance on how companies should use personal data in their interactions with customers, including how they identify and address problem gambling behaviour,” said Haijer.
