Dutch Luck Puts Online Gaming on the Backburner in the Netherlands
Published September 30, 2020 by Brett C
As players eagerly await online gaming regulation in the Netherlands, another setback has occurred. The Remote Gambling Act is slated to take effect from March 1st, 2021. The online gambling market will officially open on September 1st, 2021.
Remote Gambling Act Takes Effect in 2021
Legal-age gamblers in the Netherlands will have to wait until the Remote Gambling Act (RGA) takes effect on March 1, 2021. The highly-anticipated legislation only comes into play next year, later than planned. The Dutch online gambling market will officially open its doors for business on September 1, 2021.
The Minister for Legal Protection – Sander Dekker - penned a letter to the Lower House of the Dutch Parliament, confirming that the legislation would come into effect 2 months later. The Dutch online gambling market will officially open its doors 6 months later. While the delay is a setback of sorts, it allows all vested interests to adequately prepare for the changes in the law.
Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) Attributes Delay to Coronavirus
Industry analysts expected online gambling to officially launch on January 1, 2021. However, the official gambling regulator of the Netherlands – Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) delayed the launch date until July 1, 2021, to get things tweaked to perfection. in June 2020, the Minister indicated that there might be delays to the legislation, owing to the coronavirus and its massive disruptive effect on the global economy.
The Dutch regulatory authority engaged in intensive discussions with stakeholders, and the timetable was set, with the express knowledge of all vested interests, including Kansspelautoriteit (KSA). The European Commission (EC) has been notified of all these elements of its online gambling legislation, including the requirement for responsible gaming practices for all licensees.
Strict Standards in Place to Protect the Integrity of the Industry
The Dutch authorities have stipulated strict rules regarding maximum credit allowances for gambler accounts, safeguarding records and reporting requirements, details of technical standards, and structured policies on the prevention of compulsive gambling. Given all of these factors, the Dutch market is markedly different to many others. For example, there is a prohibition on gambling advertising between 6 AM and 9 PM. There are no bonuses or promotional offers available to players during this time either.
