Dutch Gambling Regulator and ZonMw Partner for Research Programme
The KSA has teamed up with ZonMw to conduct a research programme aimed at tackling gambling-related harm, highlighting its commitment to promoting responsible gambling.
The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has partnered with ZonMw, the Netherlands’ Organisation for Health Research and Development, to conduct a research programme aimed at tackling gambling-related harm. As part of the “Prevention of Gambling Addiction” initiative, researchers working in the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction and gambling-related harm are invited to apply for a grant until May 5. The initiative falls under the Dutch Addiction Prevention Fund, created under the Dutch Remote Gambling Act, which opened the country’s regulated online gambling market in 2021. The KSA manages the fund, which supports research on problems in both online and land-based gambling.
In December 2022, the KSA announced that it had fined five online gambling operators a total of €26m. The fines were issued against operators that the KSA says were targeting the market without local licences. The operators hit with penalties were N1 Interactive, Videoslots, BetPoint Group, Probe Investments, and Fairload Limited. Although the fines were issued in December, the regulator has only just named the operators and the details of each fine. Videoslots had already announced that it would appeal the fine and criticised the regulator for issuing it.
The KSA’s partnership with ZonMw and the imposition of fines on unlicensed operators highlight the regulator’s commitment to promoting responsible gambling and ensuring operators comply with local regulations. The regulator’s tough stance against unlicensed operators demonstrates that it means business and will not hesitate to take action against those that flout the rules. The research programme conducted by ZonMw will further strengthen the KSA’s efforts to prevent gambling-related harm, which is essential as the country’s regulated online gambling market continues to grow.