Dutch MPs go knives out on gambling industry

Dutch Members of Parliament have put forward a new note called "Gegokt en Verloren," which translates to "Gambled and Lost," shared on the SGP’s website. A critique of the gambling industry, the note penned by Derk Boswijk (CDA) and Diederik van Dijk (SGP) argues that sweeping changes must be enacted to safeguard consumers who are increasingly exposed to gambling products.

Online gambling needs to go argue a pair of Dutch MPs

The pair raises concerns over the fact that 22% of the country’s active 450,000 gamblers are in fact, young adults. "Gambling companies make huge profits, but the social damage is enormous. They also do not take their duty of care seriously enough. It is our job to protect vulnerable people, especially young people," Boswijk said.

What the note proposes is a U-turn on the Remote Gambling Act, or Koa for its Dutch acronym, enforced in October 2021, which would come with sweeping changes, such as the complete reversal of the Koa which would mean the removal of online gambling from the country to "prevent further damage."

Another proposal is to ban all forms of gambling advertising in the country, which is already heavily restricted to safeguard consumers. What gambling remains after these changes would face even stricter controls and undergo more gruelling processes for obtaining their licenses.

The pair of MPs have also called to act more decisively against overseas gambling websites that continue to target the local industry. The Kansspelautoriteit has already handed several seven-figure penalties to illegal sites that have operated – knowingly or otherwise – in the country.

Gambling industry likely to keep facing tougher scrutiny

Van Dijk backed his colleague by saying that gambling addiction continues to ravage throughout the country and is devastating for young people. "Both for the victim and the family around them. It is incomprehensible that the government does not focus more strongly on preventing and combating gambling addictions, but instead maintains the market," he wrapped up.

The country recently raised the gambling tax payable by companies to 37.8%, which has been criticized by industry stakeholders. The truth, though, is that the industry cannot expect measures to loosen up.

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