Ahead of his departure from the chairmanship of the Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA), René Jansen has made a compelling case for tightening responsible gambling measures within the Netherlands, particularly in land-based venues. Jansen, who is set to leave his post on October 1, 2024, after six transformative years at the helm, has notably overseen the launch of regulated online gambling in the country in 2021. However, amidst the surge in gambling’s popularity, concerns have heightened regarding the escalation of problem gambling risks.
In recent initiatives to curb such risks, the Netherlands introduced a ban on untargeted gambling advertising. This month witnessed a decisive vote favoring a total ban on online gambling advertisements and so-called “high-risk” betting activities, such as online slots. The implementation of these measures into law remains uncertain at this stage.
Delivering his perspective at the Casino Operations Summit in Amsterdam, Jansen zeroed in on land-based gambling venues, detailing his observations and expressing an adamant belief that more could be done to bolster responsible gambling efforts. Notably, the KSA’s enhanced investigatory approach has led to the successful shutdown of numerous large-scale illegal gaming operations, demonstrating a clear indication that the authority’s proactive stance is yielding concrete results.
Jansen’s investigations at various gaming arcades revealed notable deficiencies. Disturbingly, none of the venues he visited enforced maximum playtime limits, an oversight that is especially problematic in 24-hour arcades where players aren’t required to take breaks or leave. The unchecked ability for gamblers to bet on multiple machines simultaneously was pinpointed as facilitating excessive and immoderate play without adequate monitoring of behavior or financial transactions.
Cruks, the Dutch self-exclusion registration system, was highlighted as being underutilized in land-based venues, according to Jansen. He identified the ease with which self-excluded individuals could gain entry to venues due to open entrances, labeling it an “easily mitigated risk factor” and advocating for more effective controls to support those attempting to restrict their gambling habits. Furthermore, training discrepancies among arcade workers regarding Cruks and the failure of some venues to conduct involuntary registrations reflected broader issues of inadequate response to problematic gambling behaviors.
In analogy to the role of a bartender in a café exerting social control through regular interactions with patrons, Jansen emphasized that arcade workers should be more vigilant in recognizing excessive playtime as a potential red flag for gambling addiction rather than viewing it as a normative behavior.
Jansen advocated for a more rigorous identification of problem gamblers in land-based facilities, pressing for addiction policies that give closer scrutiny to the durations of gambling sessions and the number of machines played. He also urged a shift away from credit card payments to reduce risk.
The KSA chairman also proposed modernizing legislation to promote the development of “smart” arcades that employ cashless play systems to better track patrons’ identities, play durations, and spending – although he conceded that such advancements would require careful planning to mitigate potential money laundering risks.
Jansen’s remarks came at a time he described as “turbulent” for the slot industry, noting the sector’s struggle in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and competition from the growing online market. He pointed out that online gambling’s rise likely siphoned revenue from land-based operations and underscored the threat posed by illegal gaming.
Highlighting the demanding nature of licensing processes, Jansen argued for making it sufficiently attractive for providers to engage in lawful operations, thereby countering the allure of the black market.
The recent legislative proposition to ban online gambling ads triggered a backlash from the industry, with the Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA) criticizing the decision as “thoughtless and irresponsible.” Nevertheless, the ultimate fate of the prohibition rests with Franc Weerwind, the Netherlands’ minister for legal protection, who will deliberate on the potential enshrinement of these bans into law.
As the gambling industry landscape continues to evolve, the position of a majority in the house of representatives towards regulating the online market has unmistakably shifted, remarked Jansen. With the future regulatory climate still uncertain, his comments serve as a reflection on the dynamic regulatory challenges ahead.
