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Dutch regulator tightens gambling safeguards in licensed halls

Gambling halls face stricter oversight as the KSA rolls out clearer rules to protect players. Will this curb addiction risks in the Netherlands' arcades?

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
The image shows a room filled with lots of different types of arcade machines, including a table...
The image shows a room filled with lots of different types of arcade machines, including a table with a game on it, a fire extinguisher on the floor, a board on the wall, and a roof with ceiling lights.
  • Kansspelautoriteit identified the need to improve the duty of care for physical offerings such as gaming arcades and halls
  • Michel Groothuizen, KSA's Chairman, speaks about the importance of improving the duty of care
  • The Dutch gambling watchdog released new guidelines for land-based gaming halls without introducing additional rules

Dutch regulator tightens gambling safeguards in licensed halls

The Netherlands Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), announced the release of new guidance in an effort to improve the duty of care for land-based gaming halls.

Enhanced duty of care will safeguard customers at land-based gaming venues

The new guidance follows an analysis of the existing duty of care and on-site visits to gaming arcades across the country.

The visits conducted by the Dutch gambling watchdog enabled it to get a better picture of the implementation of the existing duty of care guidance and compile a list of recommendations for improvement.

As a result, the KSA said Tuesday it has issued new guidance for licensed gaming halls, which contains explanations and practical tools.

Still, the gambling regulator acknowledged that the guidance doesn't include new rules.

Michel Groothuizen, KSA's Chairman, spoke about the latest effort of the regulator to improve the duty of care for gaming halls.

"Certain key factors of the duty of care are easier to monitor for online providers than in brick-and-mortar casinos," he said.

What's more, Groothuizen pointed out: "In our conversations with arcade owners, we've noticed that they want to do more with the duty of care, but sometimes still struggle with its proper implementation."

According to KSA's Chairman, the new guidance provides sufficient informational materials and tools for employees at gaming halls.

"In this way, we're working together to ensure that players are optimally protected even at brick-and-mortar providers," Groothuizen explained in conclusion.

New guidelines improve duty of care without new rules

The implementation of Wet Koa, the country's Gambling Act, expanded the duty of care for gaming arcades and halls.

As a result, such venues are required to prevent and mitigate cases of gambling addiction and at-risk gambling.

While gaming arcades and halls have taken steps to comply with this requirement, the KSA noticed the need for improvement.

As a result, the gambling watchdog, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, developed the new guidelines.

Those new guidelines provide examples and explanations on the dos and don'ts and what the KSA expects from gaming halls.

Frequently asked questions, as well as an animation and a poster that seek to raise awareness of the importance of enhancing the duty of care, have also been released.

An important aspect of the new standard for arcades is a Guideline for Identity and Cruks Verification.

Image credit: Pixabay.com

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