In a recent parliamentary debate centered on the reform of gambling legislation in the Netherlands, lawmakers proposed a gradual increase in the legal gambling age as a method to deter individuals from participating in the illicit betting market.
During a session of the standing committee on justice and security on March 28, State Secretary for Legal Protection, Teun Struycken, highlighted potential strategies to enhance the Netherlands’ gambling regulations. This session brought together representatives from multiple political parties, all focused on addressing pressing issues within the gambling sector amidst ongoing reforms.
Although the current regulatory framework only took effect in 2021, an extensive review commenced earlier this year has prompted concerns regarding inadequate protections for players. In light of these findings, the government has pledged to reformulate its gambling laws, with an updated remote gambling act anticipated to be presented to parliament by year’s end.
Prioritizing the Fight Against Illegal Gambling
In this recent session, lawmakers including Rosemarijn Dral, Peter Smitskam, Michiel van Nispen, Diederik van Dijk, Mikal Tseggai, Derk Boswijk, Mirjam Bikker, Marieke Wijen-Nass, and Willem Koops joined Struycken in a thorough examination of current legislation.
The dialogue touched upon various written submissions, including studies addressing the Dutch public’s perception of gambling and the implications of raising gambling taxes on societal welfare. Additionally, reports on market monitoring, match-fixing investigations, and proposals for altering gambling regulations were examined.
A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to the illegal gambling market. Here, concerns regarding problem gambling emerged, particularly with the suggestion to raise the gambling age. Citing research indicating that 13% of bettors engaged in games of chance within the last year exhibit signs of problem gambling, attendees acknowledged the urgent need to address this issue.
The Ongoing Debate Over Age Restrictions
There was a consensus among participants about the importance of tackling illegal gambling. However, the proposal to increase the minimum age for slots to 21 led to discussions about the potential shift of younger gamblers to unregulated platforms. Struycken proposed a phased implementation approach, allowing current players to continue legally engaging with specific games.
Struycken, who is spearheading the new gambling legislation, previously suggested the staged age increase during a February update regarding gambling reform. Meanwhile, Christian Union party leader Bikker expressed her apprehensions about the age raise being limited to specific gambling types. She advocated for a uniform age limit of 21 across all gambling activities and criticized the effectiveness of the existing remote gambling act, branding it a “complete failure.” Her sentiments found support among several other MPs, who echoed concerns about the inadequacy of the current regulatory framework.
Bikker also called into question the involvement of industry stakeholders in the legislative discussions, arguing that their participation could lead to biased policy outcomes.
The Illegal Market’s Dominance
The conversation shifted focus onto a report from the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), which highlighted that the illegal gambling sector currently exceeds the legal market in terms of player expenditures. Dral emphasized the necessity of increasing efforts to combat these illegal operations, as they place consumers at risk. By using data from KSA, she noted a troubling trend where players migrate to illegal platforms due to the complications faced when interfacing with legal operators.
Smitskam supported this viewpoint, suggesting that intensified enforcement against illegal sites could both protect consumers and improve governmental tax revenue. He cautioned that, without appropriate measures, the illegal market might continue to flourish.
Responding to this, Farmer-Citizen Movement MP Wijen-Nass proposed that internet service providers and search engines enhance their efforts to counter illegal gambling advertising. She cited alarming figures, claiming that Google profits around €20 million annually from such ads, emphasizing the urgent need to mitigate the risks associated with unregulated gambling.
Wijen-Nass also brought attention to the government’s approach to gambling taxes, discussing the prospects of introducing varied tax rates for different betting activities.
Exploring a Task Force Against Illegal Gambling
As discussions progressed, the possibility of establishing a dedicated task force to combat illegal gambling was put forth. Dral expressed her support for this initiative, noting that several industry organizations had advocated for such a strategy. Struycken confirmed that discussions regarding the formation of a task force were in progress, following earlier stakeholder recommendations.
In summary, the Netherlands’ gambling reform debate reflects a shared commitment among lawmakers to combat illicit activities while ensuring the protection of players within the legal framework. The proposed strategies, including a graduated increase in the gambling age and a focus on eradicating illegal platforms, signal a proactive approach to safeguard the gambling sector.