New KSA Chair Gives First Public Speech

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) published the first public speech of Michel Groothuizen in his new role as chairman of the board of the Netherlands Gaming Authority. He addressed a large audience of iGaming operators, game software providers, and affiliates at the iGB Live! event that is currently being held at RAI Amsterdam Convention Center from July 16 to July 19.

He opened his speech by introducing himself and stating his role in establishing the KSA while he worked at the Ministry of Justice. Mr. Groothuizen stressed the dynamic pace at which the gambling market has evolved over the years and his anxiousness to connect and swap insights on the industry with operators, regulators, and legislators.

The new chairman outlined several key points in his speech such as duty of care, black market operators, regulations and their impact on channelization, as well as the global collaborations of the authority. He mentioned his predecessor, René Jansen, and the fact that they shared the same approach and concerns about the gambling market.

Starting with the most critical issue concerning the illegal gambling market, Mr. Groothuizen addressed gambling operators from all over the world present at the international event. He shared his belief they would act responsibly toward Dutch players and would not allow access to their online platforms without due licensing.

He also touched on the well-known fact that a regulated gambling market ensures better protection of players against unfair play and addiction compared to markets that outlaw gambling as it “will always exist.” As the chairman explained, the most pressing regulatory challenge is the lack of adequate age verification by illegal operators, exposing children and young adults to the threat of developing gambling addiction later in life.

Mr. Groothuizen shared his belief that ensuring a sufficiently “attractive and reliable legal option” was equally important as handling the illegal gambling market. Therefore, a total ban on gambling advertising would be inappropriate since “to make and keep a licensed market attractive, gambling operators must be able to present themselves to players up to a certain level.”

The KSA chairman also shared his bewilderment at the outrageous behavior of illegal gambling operators, their inappropriate advertisements, and practices related to abusing the KSA logo. He explained that expanding the power of the KSA to take down illegal websites would be a major point of discussion in the forthcoming review of the Remote Gambling Act later this year.

Mr. Groothuizen said that “international cooperation and knowledge-sharing” are essential to “tighten the net around illegal gambling”. He mentioned KSA’s participation in the Gambling Regulators European Forum, GREF, and the International Association of Gaming Regulators, IAGR. Furthermore, he elaborated on KSA’s cooperation agreements with gambling regulators in Belgium, France, Malta, Sweden, and the UK.

New Online Duty of Care Unit Starts Operating from September 1

Starting September 1, a new Online Duty of Care Unit will focus closely on duty-of-care compliance and monitor operators rigorously, sending out warning letters more often and imposing penalties when necessary. The unit will also be responsible for the implementation of the revised Policy Rule on Responsible Gambling. Measures such as the introduction of deposit limits and real-time monitoring of gambling behavior will be strictly implemented too.

Mr. Groothuizen also shared his engagement with topics such as the planned increase in gambling taxes. As he explained, the increase might harm the channelization rate and if he had any apprehensions in this respect, he would immediately give fair warning.

The chairman concluded his speech by stating the honor of being the “new regulator” and that he was “looking forward to what lies ahead, in both the opportunities and the challenges.”