The Dutch gaming regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has taken the initiative to raise public knowledge of CRUKS, the central self-exclusion registry for gambling in the Netherlands, by launching a trial program.

The goal of the trial programs, which are being spread throughout a number of social media channels, is to inform the general public about how to self-exclude from all Dutch-licensed gaming companies by utilizing the CRUKS platform.

CRUKS: Empowering Gamblers with Voluntary Exclusion

On October 1, 2021, the Dutch government enacted the Remote Gambling Act (KOA), which governs internet gambling services in the nation. At that same time, the KSA launched the CRUKS registry.

Gamblers are empowered by CRUKS because it gives them the choice to “voluntarily take a break from gambling.” After registering, people have a minimum of six months and a maximum of 99 years to refrain from playing at authorized internet casinos and other gambling-related activities in the Netherlands.

In the first half of the year, KSA introduced CRUKS 2.0, a revamped version of the self-exclusion register. This update streamlined the process of unsubscribing from gambling activities and included an eight-day reflection period for those contemplating self-exclusion.

The CRUKS tagline underwent a transformation from “play break” to “gambling stop,” accompanied by a redesigned website for a more user-friendly experience.

The goal of the KSA’s pilot programs is to find the best messaging and original ideas to educate the public about the possibility of abstaining from gambling. In order to make sure that the message reaches individuals who could benefit from the self-exclusion effort the most, the focus is on trying different methods to increase awareness among target groups that are considered to be at-risk.