Netherlands Gambling Authority publishes online market data
The Netherlands Gambling Authority has released its 2021 annual report, which includes a section specifically dedicated to online market developments.
According to the annual report, the regulated online market generated €185.5m in GGR during Q4 2021.
As of March 1, there were 634,000 verified player accounts across the eleven currently active Netherlands-licensed online operators. Roughly 17% – or around 108,000 accounts – were opened by players aged 18-24. As many players are assumed to possess more than one player account, the number of individual active players is likely to be significantly lower.
The Dutch regulator further revealed that it had received 33 remote license applications in 2021. At present, 18 licenses have been granted, indicating that a significant percentage of applications have been rejected.
Finally, the report revealed that during Q4 2021 the average number of online gambling advertisements shown on Dutch television during post-watershed hours peaked at almost 40 per hour – almost as many as the number of lottery ads shown.
ZEbetting & Gaming retains Dutch totalizator monopoly license
Following an open and transparent licensing procedure, the Netherlands Gambling Authority has renewed ZEbetting & Gaming’s license for the country’s totalizator monopoly.
The Netherlands’ single totalizator license covers offline betting on horseracing and remains a monopoly under the country's Gambling Act.
The new five-year license will come into effect on July 1, 2022.
ZEbetting & Gaming is part of the French Zebet/Zeturf business, and is also active in France, Belgium and Malta.
Jacks.nl joins International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA)
Jacks.nl, the online subsidiary of the Netherlands’ largest private gaming operator, JVH gaming & entertainment group, has joined the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).
Eric Olders, CEO and Chairman of the JVH group commented: “We are proud to become a member of IBIA. By joining we are protecting integrity in sports and sports betting. Integrity is a key value – for us and for sports.”
All online betting operators licensed in the Netherlands are required to be part of an international integrity monitoring body. The majority of those issued with a license to date are members of IBIA.
Upcoming events
The following events may be of interest to the GiH community.
· ICE 2022 remains confirmed for April 12-14.
· The 2022 Gaming in Holland Conference & Expo has been scheduled for June 20-21 at Jaarbeurs Utrecht.
· EASG 2022, the 13th European Conference on Gambling Studies and Policy Issues, has now been scheduled for 6 – 9 September 2022, and will take place in Oslo, Norway.
Dutch government announces new online gambling marketing restrictions
Last week, Minister for Legal Protection, Franc Weerwind announced new online gambling marketing and advertising restrictions, less than six months after the opening of the country's regulated online market.
In a letter to the Lower House of Dutch Parliament, Weerwind announced that the government would propose an amendment to the Dutch Gambling Act with the aim of banning all “untargeted” online gambling advertising.
As the adoption and entry into force of new legislation will take considerable time – the new legislation isn't expected until 2023 at the earliest – the Minister further announced changes in secondary legislation, some of which could enter into force as early in June.
In the meantime, trade associations NOGA and VNLOK agreed to a wide range of new, voluntary advertising restrictions that will enter into force in the coming weeks. These restrictions will include:
· No radio, print, or outdoor advertising
· The watershed for TV advertising will be moved back from 21:00 to 22:00
· Additional restrictions on bonus marketing
· An 8 hr/day playing time limit (poker tournaments and sports betting excepted)
· No more de facto unlimited deposit limits
· Role models used in ads must be at least 35 years old
Although trade groups NOGA and VNLOK expressed willingness to abide by additional advertising and marketing restrictions, they also demanded extra measures and interventions to limit the availability and attractiveness of unlicensed alternatives. Specifically, both trade groups request that the Dutch authorities would up their market channelization target from 80% to 95% and – presumably – back up that commitment by the implementation of stricter enforcement measures.
Other news
IGaming platform provider Oryx Gaming is currently hiring Dutch customer service support staff.
Belgium's Constitutional Court has ruled that banning online operators from accepting credit card payments, while allowing such payments in land-based casinos does not violate the country's constitution.
The UK's Gambling Minister, Chris Philp has said that affordability checks must be “proportionate and pitched at the right level.” It is currently unclear at which level these checks will be pitched.
Danish gambling revenue fell 3.9% year on year for Q4 2021 as a significant dip in sports betting contributed to the overall downturn in the market.
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