Netherlands Gambling Authority launches updated exclusion register
The Dutch regulator has launched an updated website (cruksregister.nl) that makes it easier for players to register for the national gambling exclusion register, CRUKS.
In addition to providing a more user-friendly interface, the changes also include an eight-day reflection period that has been added for players who want to unsubscribe after their initial gambling halt of at least six months. This change was introduced to discourage impulsive unsubscriptions from CRUKS, the regulator said.
The regulator also announced a switch in language referring to the purpose of CRUKS, whereby "Speelpauze” (“Play break”) would be replaced with “Gokstop” (‘Gambling stop”).
Since going live, more than 38,000 players in the Netherlands have signed up to the exclusion register.
Reminder | Gaming in Holland webinar on Dutch online gambling advertising restrictions
Last week, the Dutch government published a decree that bans most forms of advertising for online gambling services from July 1, 2023.
To clarify the new rules as much as possible, as well as to get a sense of their expected market impact, Gaming in Holland will organize a webinar on Wednesday, May 10 at 15:00 CET.
The webinar is titled “Making sense of the new Dutch online gambling advertising restrictions” and includes the following speakers:
Dr. Alan Littler, gaming lawyer at Kalff Katz & Franssen
Peter-Paul de Goeij, MD, Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA)
Attending the webinar is free. Don't miss it! Register today.
Holland Casino returned to profitability in 2022
Holland Casino has reported gross revenue of €753.8m in its full-year 2022 results, up from €304.2m in 2021. Total net profit for the year was €17m, compared to a net loss of €45.7m in the previous year.
With gross revenues of €145.5m, Holland Casino Online contributed significantly to the company's overall results, even if the land-based slot machine (€327.4m) and casino table game (€ 233.7m) segments contributed more.
“Despite the Covid-related closures of the preceding years, Holland Casino is currently in good financial shape,” CFO Ruud Bergervoet commented.
BetCity hit with €400,000 fine over young adult advertising
The Netherlands Gambling Authority has hit Entain-owned BetCity with a €400,000 fine for failing to exclude young adults from receiving promotional email messages.
Dutch law stipulates that licensed operators cannot send any form of advertising to young adults between the ages of 18 and 23, even if they are registered with the operator.
Earlier, Nederlandse Loterij, Jacks.nl, and Bet365 were hit with identical fines for similar rule violations.
Kindred to explore potential sale of the company
Kindred Group has launched a review of strategic alternatives that could lead to a potential merger, sale or partial sale of the business.
The review will focus on maximizing shareholder value, with PJT Partners, Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc and Canaccord Genuity to serve as financial advisors and assist in the review.
Kindred did not set a timetable for completion and noted that there could be no assurance regarding the results or outcome of the review.
Upcoming events
The following event(s) may be of interest to the GiH community.
The 2023 Gaming in Spain Conference, which will take place in Madrid on May 18, 2023. Confirmed speakers include both the current and former leadership of Spain's national regulator DGOJ. Registration is now open!
The 2023 Gaming in Germany Conference has been scheduled to take place October 16, 2023, in Berlin. Additional details will follow soon. Don't miss it. Save the date!
Dutch regulated online market breaches €1bn GGR barrier
Netherlands-licensed online gambling operators achieved a joint GGR of €1.08bn in 2022, the Netherlands Gambling Authority reported. The regulator expects further annual growth of 13-15% for at least the next few years.
In January 2023, there were 859,000 active players accounts. An estimated 365,000 players are gambling at least once per month. The majority of players (57%) have only a single account, but a significant minority (22%) maintains at least four. Currently, there are an estimated 70,000 registered players between the ages of 18 and 23.
An estimated 92% of players are exclusively active on licensed websites. This percentage increases to 98% when only considering players who started gambling online after the regulated market opened.
Floor van Bakkum, prevention expert at Jellinek and of the speakers at the 2023 Gaming in Holland Conference, expressed concern regarding the expected market growth. “In the longer term, some effect [on addiction rates] is to be expected,” Van Bakkum said.
Other news
The International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) has released the April 2023 issue of the IMGL Magazine.
Sportradar Integrity Services has entered into a two-year partnership with World Aquatics to monitor international water polo matches.
German police have carried out raids and arrested multiple people as part of an investigation into large-scale tax fraud at sports betting operator Tipster.
Spanish regulator DGOJ sanctioned 20 online operators over illegal gambling activities in the second half of 2022, imposing more than €35.0m in fines.