The Dutch State Secretary for Legal Protection, Claudia van Bruggen, has reiterated that she is working towards a ban on online gambling advertising. However, she noted that she is also monitoring the feasibility and enforceability of such a ban.
Last month, Van Bruggen already stated that she was working on amendments to the online gambling regulations in line with the Coalition Government agreement, including a potential ban on online gambling ads.
Her latest comments were made in response to parliamentary questions submitted by MPs from several Dutch political parties.
The questions followed an investigation by the Dutch TV programme Zembla, which found that young adults are still being exposed to gambling content through online streamers despite strict advertising rules designed to prevent this.
Some operators allegedly struck deals with streamers’ affiliate websites and used unclear payment structures, claiming regulatory loopholes.
MPs asked the State Secretary how such structures could have existed and what measures would be taken to prevent them in the future.
In her response, Van Bruggen argued that the rules were always clear but that some operators used affiliate and streamer arrangements that conflicted with their intent.
She added: ‘’The Zembla broadcast shows that in practice structures have been used attempting to limit the scope of the ban. Following signals on this matter, the KSA has focused its supervision and enforcement on these structures and clarified that such arrangements are in violation of the rules.
‘’As also mentioned in the broadcast, the licensed operators that were addressed have ended their agreements with these streamers and their platforms.’’
For now, Van Bruggen is considering a ban applicable only to remote gambling. Once the legislative process is completed, she will also review issues related to land-based gambling.
Following the Zembla broadcast, the Dutch Mental Health Care Association and Addiction Studies Netherlands called for a complete ban on gambling advertising.
Meanwhile, the SP and ChristenUnie parties proposed in March higher fines, stricter licence suspension rules, a ban on advertising and longer self-exclusion periods.
The use of role models, including streamers and influencers, for online gambling advertising has been prohibited since the Dutch role model ban came into force on 30 June 2022
