New Dutch Ad Ban to Launch Before the 1st of July

After just launching its online gambling market in 2021, the government is now working towards more strict ad regulations in the Netherlands. In March 2023, the Minister for Legal Protection Franc Weerwind announced that the Dutch ad ban on broadcast gambling advertising will happen “no later” than 1 July. This follows the approval of the proposal for Dutch ad restrictions, introduced by the Socialist Party MP Michiel van Nispen.

The Motives Behind the New Dutch Ad Restrictions

With this new Dutch ad ban, the government aims to achieve further ad regulations in the Netherlands for high-risk games of chance. In this respect, Minister Weerwind has collaborated with the Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders (VNLOK) and the Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA) on advertising measures that would protect vulnerable groups and would also prevent addictions.

Undoubtedly, the Netherlands has been a leader in promoting safe and responsible gambling practices. Indeed, the goal is that these practices are not just present at the very best online casinos in the Netherlands, but rather, are consistent throughout the whole industry.

Hence, the Dutch ad ban is part of a broader effort to protect citizens from the harmful effects of gambling and to promote responsible gambling practices. It’s important to note that the ad regulations in the Netherlands will apply to all forms of media. That includes:

• 📺 Television
• 📻 Radio
• 📄 Print
• 🌐 Online channels
• 💁🏼 Also prohibits the use of all role models in advertisements

As already said, one of the key factors behind the stricter Dutch ad restrictions is the concern that gambling advertising can have a severely negative impact on young people. Therefore, the new Dutch ad ban will seek to limit the exposure of minors and young adults to gambling advertising.

Strict Dutch Ad Restrictions from July 1

The planned Dutch ad ban in the Netherlands includes gambling commercials being broadcast only on television between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and a ban on advertising on radio, public spaces and in print. However, there’s still the concern that advertising restrictions in other areas could simply lead to more online marketing. In response, the minister added he would look at possibilities to include a time window for online banners and videos.

Furthermore, Weerwind’s collaboration and discussions with different treatment centres show that the big volume of gambling advertisements leads to further difficulties amongst individuals with problematic gambling or with gambling addictions:

I’ve also been in talks with addiction treatment centres. They have told me that the sheer volume of gambling advertisements leads to unrest among recovering addicts and problematic gambling among people who identify with the role models appearing in the ads. That was a reason for me not to wait.

A study conducted by Weerwind shows that participation in online gambling did increase during the first year of Covid restrictions, but not amongst young people (aged 18 to 24). In this regard, the recent data does not reflect on how and if the Coronavirus measures have encouraged online gambling.

In addition to the Netherlands’ ban on ads, the government has also introduced a range of other initiatives specifically created to promote responsible gambling. These include the establishment of a national self-exclusion register that allows individuals to exclude themselves from all licensed gambling websites and venues, as well as the implementation of mandatory player protection measures for all licensed operators.

The KSA and Its Regulatory Actions

The topic of gambling advertising has been so controversial that, speaking of regulations, there’s yet much to be discussed and clarified. Nevertheless, when asked whether a “two strikes and you’re out” model of regulation would take place, Weerwind spoke against such a system and added that regulatory actions need to be proportionate to the violation.

It became known that the Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has already issued warnings to a number of operators regarding their advertising activities. More specifically, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) points out the concern that these advertisements could attract minors and young adults to online gambling. In connection with this, René Jansen – the chairman of the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), requested that online gaming venues reduce their advertising.

Overall, the Dutch ad ban and stricter ad regulations in the Netherlands represent an essential step forward in the country’s ongoing efforts to create a safe and responsible online gambling market. By limiting young people’s exposure to gambling advertising, the government is taking steps to protect its citizens from the harmful effects of gambling, as they can trigger or lead to gambling addiction.

For this to happen, it will be important not just for operators but also for consumers to remain vigilant and to continue to promote responsible gambling practices. With the right measures in place, it is possible to enjoy the many benefits of gambling, while minimising the risks and protecting those who are most vulnerable.

FAQ

Having reached the end of our blog on the topic of the planned Netherlands ban ads regulations, we hope it gave you all the information you were looking to find. In each case, throughout the following section, we have gathered the most commonly asked questions regarding the subject of the new Netherlands ban ad restrictions, so make sure you check it out.