Regulatory Agency Cracking Down on Unlawful Gaming Devices in the Netherlands
The Dutch gambling scene is currently wrestling with new challenges as the gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), intensifies its efforts to combat illegal gaming machines following the recent closure of casino branches due to tax hikes.
Key Highlights:
- KSA intensifies fight against illegal gaming machines in the wake of casino shutdowns.
- Soaring taxes leading to the cessation of several gaming venues.
- Guidelines provided to winners of auctioned gaming machines by KSA.
KSA's Strategic Shift
In a bid to tackle the potential surge of unregulated gaming machines, the KSA has stepped up its game to ensure compliance with existing regulations. This move is a response to the widespread shutdown of gaming hall operations, a result of the increased tax burden in the Dutch gambling sector.
Guidelines for Machine Operators
Following the auction of gaming machines from closed venues, the KSA has addressed winners in an official letter, spelling out the legal requirements for operating these machines. The KSA declared:
Regulatory Landscape
This latest move comes shortly after the KSA's announcement of a crackdown on illegal gambling apps in Holland. The Dutch government is also considering introducing a 21+ age limit for high-risk gambling activities, tightening regulations even further.
Market Performance and Licensing
Despite the regulatory challenges, the Dutch gambling market is growing. The KSA revealed a FY 2024 gambling revenue of €1.47bn ($1.67bn), a 6% increase from the previous year's full-year figure. As a testament to the market's resilience, Novomatic, a major gaming vendor, has secured a 10-year license renewal in the Netherlands.
Impact on the Industry
The shuttering of casino branches, including those owned by Holland Casino, provides a clear indication of the significant impact of recent tax increases on the Dutch gambling sector. As the industry adapts to these changes, the KSA's focus on illegal gaming machines aims to maintain the credibility of the regulated market and safeguard consumers from potential threats associated with unregulated gambling activities.
The evolving Dutch gambling landscape requires operators and stakeholders to navigate these new regulatory hurdles while seizing growth opportunities within the established legal framework set by the KSA.
- In an effort to curb the rise of unregulated gaming machines following the closure of casino branches due to tax hikes, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has proactively outlined strict guidelines for machine operators participating in sports-betting, requiring them to obtain a license from KSA and seek extra presence permits from the local municipality.
- As the KSA intensifies its efforts against illegal gambling activities, such as the crackdown on illegal gambling apps, the Dutch government is also considering implementing a 21+ age limit for high-risk sports-betting, further tightening regulations in the industry.
- Given the increasing tax burden and the closure of several gaming venues, the resilience of the Dutch gambling market becomes evident as shown by its predicted FY 2024 gambling revenue of €1.47bn ($1.67bn), a 6% increase from the previous year's full-year figure, alongside major gaming vendors like Novomatic securing long-term licenses in the Netherlands.
