Assen does not immediately ban unwanted gambling advertising roads in the city. The Commission does not consider this necessary, because as of 1 January there will be a legal ban on advertising for online games of chance in public space.
The council wants to wait for those new laws and regulations, and not to amend the APV (General Local Regulation) already with a ban on gambling advertising.
The introduction of such a direct ban could also cost Assen money, the mayor and aldermen warn, because of current contracts for advertising columns and bus shelters. “We have contractual agreements with providers of outdoor advertising. A ban on online gambling advertisements will mean a contract change, with possible financial consequences for the municipality,” said B and W.
Council members of ChristenUnie and SP urged an immediate ban before the summer holidays. They are seriously concerned about increasing gambling debts among young people. The parties do not understand that Assen on the one hand helps people with debt counseling and, on the other hand, allows unbridled gambling advertising, with all the associated consequences.
“That will actually increase the debt and addiction problem. And it usually affects people who are already vulnerable,” CU and SP believe. Advertising for gambling websites has been allowed since October last year. Also in Assen, online gambling companies are making a lot of use of advertising columns along busy roads and of the bus shelters.
The college endorses the importance of protecting vulnerable groups against the financial risks of gambling and its addictive effect. But with the new legislation on the way, there is no action now. “This advertising is not in conflict with our current APV. And as of January 1, providers of risky online games of chance are no longer allowed to advertise their gambling offer in an untargeted manner.” This seems to solve the problem by itself.
The parties were also concerned about sponsorship relationships between gambling sites and football clubs. But an inventory among the largest sports clubs shows that this is not the case in Assen, the college says. In addition, there will be a ban from 2025.