News item | 21-12-2023 | 2:30 PM
Minister Franc Weerwind for Legal Protection is taking measures to make gambling players more aware of their gaming behavior and to better protect players against the risks of gambling. Gambling providers must make players more aware of the risks of their gaming behavior and the amount of their bet. The measures consist of a personal contact moment if a player sets a deposit limit of more than 350 euros per month, requiring neutral environments for setting and changing playing limits and the mandatory display of amounts in euros. If a player sets a limit, he must be asked explicitly whether the player is willing to lose that amount. Providers must now also send notifications when players are approaching their playing or time limits and players must be logged out if they reach these limits. The government aims to have the measures come into effect at the end of 2024. The Gaming Authority is also tightening its policy rules.
Minister Weerwind: “Everyone who wants to do so should be able to play a game of chance responsibly. But responsible gaming can turn into problematic gambling. Players must be aware of this and be protected against it. This is not happening enough now. Research shows that providers encourage players to bet more money than they can afford to lose. With these measures, we oblige providers to intervene earlier and we give players more control over their gaming behavior. This gives players more protection against excessive gambling and addiction.”
Measures for extra protection
The measures include a personal contact moment in case of a high deposit limit. If a player wants to set a deposit limit that allows more than 350 euros (or 150 euros for young adults) per month to be deposited into his player account, the gaming provider must contact the player. In this contact, the player must be informed of the amount, the risk of losing this amount, possible help and support and the gambling stop of the Cruks exclusion register. Players who have a higher limit than these amounts at the time of the introduction of the measures will be informed of their high limit and the dangers thereof. They are asked to check their limit again. The moment of contact breaks the rush and anonymity of playing, allows the player to reflect more on their playing behavior and encourages the setting of lower deposit limits.
Other measures focus on players setting a limit responsibly. Players should be able to set a limit in a neutral environment, without pre-filled options and without images of or positive associations with gambling. Providers must ask if players are willing to lose the set amount. The measures also concern protection while playing. Providers must inform players if they can choose a lower bet than the standard amount entered. Notifications should also alert players to their limits and the duration of the gaming session every thirty minutes. If a limit is reached, a player must be logged out immediately. This also offers the player an extra moment to reflect on his playing behavior. All amounts must also be displayed in euros so that players are always aware of the amounts they are playing with.
Gaming Authority
The Gaming Authority is also tightening its rules. Providers are given a stricter duty of care and must take action when a player exhibits risky gaming behavior. If a player deposits more than 700 euros (or 350 euros for young adults) into their player account, the provider must actively investigate whether the player can support this amount. If contact cannot be made with the player, access to the account should be restricted. To make this tightening possible, providers must continuously monitor players in order to intervene in time.