The Netherlands’ regulatory authority for gambling, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has issued warnings to numerous entities in the gambling industry for disregarding the stricter regulations on untargeted gambling advertisements that were recently imposed in August.
KSA Opts to Issue Warnings, Not Fines, Over Gambling Advertisement Breaches
The regulatory clampdown was a direct outcome of various concerns reported to the KSA, which indicated that multiple online gambling businesses were still displaying marketing content on public signage and bus station ad spaces, despite these actions contravening the recently enacted rules.
Instead of resorting to monetary penalties immediately, the KSA firstly alerted these operators about the revised regulations on advertising and implored them to respect the updated laws. The KSA conveyed unequivocally that any overt transgressions would invite enforcement measures. Upon receiving alerts about the non-compliance, the KSA promptly connected with the implicated gambling service providers. Their swift and cooperative responses led the regulatory body to hand out warnings in lieu of implementing fines.
As a result of the intervention by the KSA, the contentious advertisements were taken down, thereby settling the issue without necessitating financial penalties.
As the Dutch regulatory authorities persist in their enforcement of these advertising limitations, the KSA remains on high alert, striving to foster a gambling ecosystem that protects vulnerable individuals and complies with the renewed rules on untargeted gambling advertisements in the country.
KSA Establishes Stringent Regulations on Dutch Gambling Advertisements
The Dutch prohibition on untargeted gambling ads mandates that such promotional activities are unacceptable in public places or areas accessible to the public. This ban extends to billboards, bus stations, movie theaters, amusements arcades, and casinos. In addition, advertisements on TV and radio are strictly off-limits under these new regulations.
However, the regulations do provide some leeway for gambling operators to advertise under stringent specifications through various channels, including the internet, direct mail, and social media platforms. Key stipulations mandate these ads to conform to rigid age-related targeting rules, aimed at attracting a demographic where a minimum of 95% of the audience is over 24 years old. Sponsorship arrangements are also impacted, with transitional periods granted for pre-existing contracts.
Before the implementation of the ban, the KSA adopted a more laissez-faire strategy, offering limited guidance and encouraging operators to take the initiative in complying with the new rules. With the ban looming, the Dutch gambling sector also established a new self-regulation code for online betting games to realign their operations with the impending regulations.
Rene Jansen, the Chairperson of the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA), highlighted upcoming changes in gambling regulations during a gaming conference in June. He accentuated the significance of data vault systems (CDBs) for Anti-Money Laundering compliance. He also pointed out that the new advertising rules permit land-based operators to continue their promotional activities. However, for operators with both land-based and online businesses, their advertisements must distinctly differentiate between the two types of operations.
