The Dutch government has announced plans to implement a total ban on advertising online gambling and promotional bonuses as part of their broader commitment to protecting players and improving their gaming experience.
Justice and Security State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen announced the reforms on 12 June based on concerns regarding rising gambling participation, increased levels of addiction and $2 billion in gambling-related debt due to the October 2021 launch of regulated online gambling.
Licensed operators will not be allowed to advertise any type of online gambling product or provide any type of incentives.
In addition, the reforms will include a centralised deposit limit that will be used across all licensed online gambling platforms. Players who desire to exceed that limit will be required to undergo affordability checks to assess their income, debt and financial condition.
The government will also be working on strengthening their self-exclusion registry. Proposed changes include indefinite voluntary exclusions and making it easier for relatives and financial managers to request someone’s registration.
In order for the proposals to take effect, they require new legislation. In addition to what has been proposed, the government is currently considering whether they will limit the number of available online gambling licenses in the Netherlands.