News item | 14-02-2025 | 14:30
State Secretary Struycken (Legal Protection) reuses the Gambling Policy. This is stated in the vision of games of chance that has been shared with the Lower House. The most important starting point in the new vision is the protection of all citizens against the risks of negative effects of games of chance, such as addiction or debts. Special attention is paid to minors and young adults. The reason for this change of course is that the current gambling policy is now insufficiently protecting people against the risks of gambling. This is apparent from various studies and reports, such as the evaluation of the remote gambling (KOA). Due to the worrying results from these reports, the State Secretary prioritizes changes to online gambling.
State Secretary Struycken: “For me, the most important starting point is to protect all citizens against gambling -related damage. In addition, I go further than preventing addiction and I also look at other damage that can cause participation in games of chance, such as debts. It is necessary to protect all people, even those who have not yet come into contact with games of chance or who have stopped gambling. This focuses in particular on minors and young adults. ”
The online gambling market was legalized in 2021. Since then, the number of people who started gambling online has increased. In addition, the number of risk and problem players is also increasing, especially among minors and young adults. Although various adjustments have been made since legalization to better protect players from online games of chance, such as the ban on unfamous advertising and the rules for playing limits, more is needed.
Take
As a result of the worrying results of the KOA Act, State Secretary Struycken prioritizes changes in legislation and regulations for online gambling. For this he takes a number of measures to protect people more effectively. This includes increasing the minimum age to 21 years for participation in the most risky games of chance. There will also be tightening for the duty of care of providers and an umbrella deposit limit with a financial capacity test. In addition, the advertising rules are adjusted to firmly restrain the attraction of online gambling. The illegal market still has an excessive size and must be controlled firmly. For this, the KSA receives more enforcement and supervisory instruments. Then it is about blocking illegal websites. The KSA also has more powers to be able to supervise more solid supervision.
New vision
The current vision dates from 2011 and assumes a great own responsibility for players and providers. This vision offers too little room for the required fundamental legislative changes on online games of chance. That is why the State Secretary comes with a new vision of games of chance, with the most important goal of protecting all citizens against the risks of gambling. So also people who are not (yet) gambling. Special attention is paid to the protection of minors and young adults. They come into contact with games of chance at a time when they are strongly influenced and are therefore very susceptible to the risks of games of chance. In the new vision, the prevention of participation in illegal play and combating illegal offer has also formulated as an objective.
Time -path
In the coming period, the preparations that are necessary will be made to be able to adjust the laws and regulations regarding games of chance. It is expected that the formulation of a bill can be started at the end of 2025. In the meantime, it is considered whether certain measures can take place earlier, such as further tightening of the duty of care and advertising restrictions. In addition, the State Secretary is committed to putting the approach to illegal offer in a European context on the agenda.