Survey: 54% of respondents does not object to legalization of online gambling
A recent survey among a representative panel of Dutch consumers (18-65) shows that 54% of respondents feel either positive (26%) or neutral (28%) toward the recent legalization of online gambling in the Netherlands.
38% of respondents believe that the legalization of online gambling is an unwelcome development, while the remaining 8% did not express an opinion.
75% of respondents were aware that online gambling recently became legal. TOTO, Holland Casino, Jack's, and Unibet are the best-known brands in the online market.
Participation in (online or land-based) casino games and sports betting is 37% and 35%, respectively. Lotteries, however, overwhelmingly remain the most popular gambling product: 75% of respondents participate in lottery games.
Despite the opening of the Dutch regulated online gambling market in October 2021, overall gambling participation only increased marginally in 2022.
Even though gambling (including lotteries) accounts for only 3.2% of total gross advertising spend in the Netherlands, respondents generally view such advertising as “annoying.” Younger respondents feel less negative about gambling advertising than older respondents.
Dutch court: “No legal basis for involuntary CRUKS registration by fiduciary administrators”
A Dutch subdistrict court has ruled that there is no legal basis for fiduciary administrators to petition a court that their clients be involuntarily registered in the CRUKS, the Dutch national gambling exclusion register.
The ruling further complicates involuntary registrations in CRUKS, which is a long and difficult process under the best of circumstances.
At present, approximately 30,000 people are registered in CRUKS, with only a handful of those registrations being involuntary.
Peter-Paul de Goeij: “Mandatory deposit limits by the end of 2023”
In a wide-ranging interview with the VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast, Peter-Paul de Goeij, Director of trade association NOGA, said that he expected (from 26:00) that mandatory deposit limits would be introduced in the fall of 2023.
According to De Goeij, the Ministry of Justice and Security is looking to present draft regulations before the Parliamentary summer recess. Following consultations, the draft proposals should then be finalized during the autumn months.
The Ministry is reportedly looking at the example of Belgium, which has €200 weekly deposit limits, which can be increased after a financial check.
De Goeij expressed concern that such limits, especially in addition to the already burdensome regulations, could have a negative impact on player channelization rates.
Other news
Dutch minors and young adults still spend excessive amounts of money on loot boxes in the FIFA video game, according to a recent TV broadcast. In 2022, the Netherlands’ highest administrative court ruled that video game loot boxes cannot be regulated by the Netherlands Gambling Authority.
Responsible gaming expert Feite Hofman and NOGA director Peter-Paul de Goeij have released another episode of their podcast series.
Affiliate Catena Media has reported 2022 revenues of €110.1m, an increase of 7% compared to the previous year.
Sweden's gambling regulator Spelinspektionen has relaxed its position on the importance of negative equity in license applications and reviews, following its court defeat in a case brought by gaming group Avento.