Michel Groothuizen, the Kansspelautoriteit’s new chairman, teased that he plans to ramp up the Dutch regulator’s efforts in the war on illegal gambling. Speaking at iGB Live in Amsterdam, he promised to shield the people of the Netherlands from the harmful influence of unlicensed operators.
This was notably Groothuizen’s first public appearance as chair of the Dutch gambling regulator. Speaking to the public, he expressed concern over the black market’s growth and compared illegal operators to pirates with no standards.
Groothuizen was dismayed by unlicensed operators’ readiness to exploit the limits of Dutch regulations and capitalize on vulnerable players. He reminisced about recent ads that showcased young people contemplating suicide before they became rich thanks to a certain gambling operator.
Groothuizen was astonished by the crass and tone-deaf advertisement and the fact that seemingly no approach is beneath the black market.
As if that wasn’t enough, Groothuizen was further surprised to learn that some illegal operators had been abusing the KSA logo in an effort to hide their unlicensed nature. Some of these companies had been advertising via Google Maps, tapping into vulnerable and self-excluded audiences.
Greater Powers Would Allow the KSA to Truly Make a Change
The new KSA chairman promised that the regulator would continue its efforts to crack down on illegal gambling. However, he underscored the authority’s limited capabilities and called for greater powers.
The KSA is currently unable to block unlicensed operators, Groothuizen pointed out. He added that allowing the regulator to take matters into its own hands would definitely strengthen its regulatory capabilities, allowing it to make meaningful changes.
Luckily, the possibility of allowing the KSA to block operators is set to be discussed during the upcoming Remote Gambling Act review, sparking optimism about the future of gambling regulation.
Everything in Moderation
Addressing the black market is one thing but the KSA should also take care of the legal market, Groothuizen added. He advocated for a moderate approach that balances market sustainability and customer protection.
According to the new chair, the KSA will double down on its supervision of legal gaming, ensuring the Dutch licensees’ compliance.
However, Groothuizen opposed the potential increase of the Netherlands’ gambling tax and the potential ban on gambling ads, arguing that these measures would make the legal market less competitive, channeling players toward the black market.
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