The New Era of Regulation in Netherlands Takes Shape with 28 License Applications
Published May 5, 2021 by Lee R
The Dutch regulation authority is fielding applications and getting operators in sync for opening in 2021!
In the long-anticipated Dutch gaming market, regulation is moving forward with 28 license applications.
October Day
This comes on the heels of the Dutch authority's approval of a regulation model which granted permissions to legally launch services iGaming from October 1st.
Approved In February
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) gaming regulator originally passed legislation in February of 2019 paving the way for iGaming operators with a body of consumer protection and anti-money laundering protocols.
Licensing Requirements
A licensing fee of €48,000 ($57,700) will be required from incoming operators, who will integrate their domestic operations within two key components of the Dutch regulation system: the incoming self-exclusion system Centraal Register Uitsluiting Kansspelen (CRUKS) self-and the CBD remote monitoring database.
Application Process
Applications have been coming into KSA since the beginning of this month April 1. Successful applicants will be cleared to offer their services online.
KSA Priorities
The KSA has asserted it's intention of continually assessing accredited operators to ensure “healthy” companies that handle player balances “responsibly” and maintain “an adequate policy to prevent gambling addiction.”
Preparation
Earlier reports had KSA expecting to field some 40 initial iGaming license applications, and planning to grant 35 permits.
Tax Allocation
The KSA has further instructed that a portion of the taxes collected from these firms be used to establish the Addiction Prevention Fund, supporting research into effective treatments and anonymous support for at-risk gamblers.
Land-Based Update
KSA also reported a 12.3% year-on-year growth in annual land-based gaming taxes for 2020 (€8.2 million – $9.7 million), even as total take for associated fees dropped 41.5% to roughly €644,000 ($763,360).
KSA Chairman Speaks
In a press release KSA Chairman Rene Jansen indicated that iGaming firms applying for license by the end of last week could realistically expect to launch in the Netherlands on October 1st, with approved operators enterprises receiving the first confirmations of authorisation in September to uniformly begin the preparation process and “promote a fair and level playing field.”
Outlook
Diversity and engagement are the two goals of KSA, and establishing a safe environment for Dutch players is a needed solution at this point after many years of stops and starts in bringing the Dutch regulation model into being.
