Online betting in Holland will finally be legal this time next year, September 2021, government gambling authorities have confirmed.
Despite delays caused by the impact of coronavirus Covid-19 and concerns over gambling addiction issues, the Remote Gambling Act will now pass into law on March 1 and online betting will launch six-months-later, said Sander Dekker, Justice Minister for Legal Protection.
Online gambling in the Netherlands was initially scheduled to start in January 2021. Then the gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), delayed the launch date to July 2021.
Nevertheless, the delays have allowed the KSA to have intensive discussions with all stakeholders.
Gambling awareness and player protection has been at the top of the list of priorities, the KSA underlined.
All licensees must have a strong policy on addiction prevention and players must agree to a set maximum credit allowed on their account.
Bonuses will be restricted and players and operators will be barred from advertising gambling-related services between 6 am and 9 pm, while punters will also not receive promotions during this timeframe.
The delay has had the added benefit of allowing Dutch state-owned casino operator Holland Casino more time to tighten-up its safer gambling protocols, KSA said in a statement.
KSA chairman René Jansen has cautioned gambling operators that the regulatory authority will be focussing on “operator conduct and behaviour” in the run-up to market launch.
