Netherlands opens consultation on KOA playing limits 

The Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands has launched a consultation on applying ‘play limits’ as a mandatory requirement of the Remote Gambling Act (KOA Act).

The consultation seeks insights and feedback on KOA protections endorsed by Legal Protection Minister, Franc Weerwind, who leads the Dutch government’s ongoing review of the KOA Act, which initiated the Netherlands’ regulated online gambling regime as of October 1, 2021.

Focused on strengthening player protection measures and customer care duties, Weerwind has endorsed that licensed operators must undertake compulsory monthly financial risk checks on player accounts that spend over €350.

The Minister has further recommended that all KOA-licensed operators apply a €150 loss limit on the player accounts of customers aged under 24.

The consultation aims to protect consumers and promote responsible gambling by requiring contact with trained addiction prevention staff for limits exceeding the specified spending amounts.

Technical changes will require operators to implement ‘customer care reminders’ every 30 minutes, warning players about their gambling behavior.

Last week, the Kamer approved a motion by ChristenUnie (CU) party leader Mirjam Bikker to apply a ‘universal loss limit’ across all 27 KOA-licensed operators “without the possibility of offering customers an increase.”

As such, the CU will propose countermeasures to Weerwind’s player protections, in which the party cites that it has cross-party support to impose an overarching play limit on all 27 licensed KOA operators.

Weerwind stands by his proposals, stating changes have been applied by the Ministry following the 22 recommendations by Dutch public health specialists, advocating for the adoption of “gambling limits, advertising curbs, and addiction prevention policies”.

Added to the KOA Act’s ongoing review, the Kamer approved a mandate to review financial penalties for online gambling violations put forward by Socialist Party MP Michiel van Nispen, who recommended fines of 10% of turnover for gambling companies that violate market rules, a proposal that received the support of 102 MPs.

The consultation, open for feedback until April 3, 2024, intends “to standardize and clarify setting and adjusting gambling limits,” with the implementation of new player protections scheduled for October 1, 2024.