Online gambling is a booming industry that attracts millions of players worldwide. However, it also poses some risks and challenges for regulators, operators, and consumers. In this article, we will explore how two European countries, Belgium and the Netherlands, are changing their online gambling laws to protect their citizens and create a safer and more responsible gambling environment.
The Remote Gambling Act: a new era for online gambling in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has been one of the last countries in the European Union to legalize online gambling. For years, the Dutch government has prohibited any form of online gambling, except for the state-owned lottery and some sports betting. However, this situation changed on April 1, 2021, when the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) came into force. This law allows licensed operators to offer online casino games and sports betting to Dutch players, under strict conditions and regulations.
The KOA aims to create a regulated and transparent online gambling market, where players can enjoy a variety of games and services, while being protected from fraud, addiction, and money laundering. Some of the main features of the KOA are:
- Operators must obtain a license from the Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) and comply with its rules and standards.
- Operators must pay a 29% tax on their gross gaming revenue, as well as a 1.5% contribution to the Addiction Prevention Fund and a 0.5% contribution to the KSA.
- Operators must verify the identity and age of their customers, and ensure that they are not on the national self-exclusion register (CRUKS).
- Operators must implement measures to prevent and combat problem gambling, such as setting limits, offering self-tests, and providing information and assistance.
- Operators must refrain from advertising their services on television, radio, and internet search engines, and limit their marketing to existing customers.
The KOA is expected to open up new opportunities and challenges for the online gambling industry in the Netherlands, as well as for the players and the society. According to the KSA, more than 30 operators have applied for a license so far, and the first licenses are expected to be granted in October 2021.
The Belgian ban on online gambling advertising: a radical measure to curb gambling addiction
Belgium has a different approach to online gambling regulation than the Netherlands. While online gambling is legal in Belgium since 2011, it is subject to strict restrictions and controls. Only nine land-based casinos are allowed to offer online gambling services, and they must partner with a licensed online platform. Moreover, the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) has the power to block and sanction any unauthorized or illegal online gambling site that targets Belgian players.
However, the Belgian government has decided to go even further and ban almost all forms of online gambling advertising as of July 2023. This decision was made after a public consultation and a parliamentary debate, where various stakeholders expressed their concerns about the negative impact of online gambling advertising on vulnerable groups, especially minors and problem gamblers.
The new legislation will prohibit online gambling operators from advertising their services on television, radio, print media, social media, and public spaces. The only exceptions will be for the national lottery and for online gambling platforms that are affiliated with land-based casinos, which will be allowed to advertise on their own websites and premises. Additionally, the new legislation will impose stricter rules on online gambling bonuses and promotions, such as limiting them to €275 per month per player.
The Belgian ban on online gambling advertising is one of the most radical measures in Europe, and it has sparked mixed reactions from the online gambling industry, the media, and the public. Some argue that the ban will protect consumers from excessive and misleading advertising, and reduce the risk of gambling addiction and harm. Others claim that the ban will hurt the online gambling market, the media sector, and the freedom of expression, and that it will drive players to unregulated and unsafe online gambling sites.
0nline gambling regulation is a complex and dynamic issue
Online gambling regulation is a complex and dynamic issue that involves multiple factors and stakeholders. Different countries have different approaches and perspectives on how to regulate online gambling, depending on their legal, social, and economic contexts. Belgium and the Netherlands are two examples of how online gambling laws can change over time, in response to new challenges and opportunities. As online gambling continues to grow and evolve, so will the need for effective and balanced regulation that can protect the interests and rights of all parties involved.
