An announced ban on ads for online gambling has been postponed in the Netherlands. Minister Franc Weerwind of Legal Protection previously announced such an interdiction on 1 January 2022, but now states that the ban will be delayed.
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In a debate about online gambling in the House of Representatives, Weerwind informed the MPs that he will not be able to make the proposed date of 1 January 2023 due to all the required procedures to pass the law. According to Weerwind, the legislative proposal has to pass through the Council of State and to the House of Representatives and the Senate. March or April are now mentioned as likely months for the ban to come into effect.
Delay is Unacceptable
Strong opponents of online gambling find any date later than 1 January 2023 unacceptable. SP MP Michiel van Nispen stresses recent figures that show that half a billion euros have already been spent on online gambling in the Netherlands in the last 24 months and that players lose an average of € 153 per month. Van Nispen previously received support for his request to speed up the implementation of the law as much as possible. According to Casino.nl, one of the leading online casino platforms in the country, it is even likely that March won’t be met due to all the bureaucratic procedures.
Fears for the World Cup
The online gambling market was legalised on 1 October last year and the House is particularly concerned about the strong increase in the number of young gambling addicts, between the ages of 18 and 23, which are considered the most vulnerable group in the Netherlands. As a consequence they are excluded from claiming bonuses. In the run-up to the World Cup Football, which starts on November 20 in Qatar, ChristenUnie MP Bikker fears one final "gambling advertising party", which will cause even more vulnerable people to be exposed to gambling. During major events like the World Cup, a lot of recreational players turn to online gambling, even those who normally do not participate in gambling.
Online Casinos Are Legal in the Netherlands
The proposed ban on gambling advertisements only affects marketing campaigns of online casinos. The online casinos will remain open as usual. Dutch enthusiasts are limited to online casinos that have a licence from the Gaming Authority (KSA). At the time of writing, there are 23 online operators that hold a licence of the KSA. Expected is that this number will continue to increase as more and more operators have been applying for a licence. The Dutch gambling authority is known for their strict policy when it comes to responsible play making the licence application process one of the most challenging in Europe.
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