Dutch government submits Remote Gambling Act for European Commission approval
Amendments on player databases, licence transfers and bonusing all included in final law submission
The Dutch government has submitted an amended version of the country’s Remote Gambling Act for European Commission (EC) review and approval.
Amendments within the version sent to the EC include a controversial amendment greenlit by the Dutch government barring operators from utilising player databases acquired during the unregulated era.
The amendment, which was proposed by Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Sander Dekker, aims to introduce a level playing field for all prospective operators when the market goes live in July 2021.
Another amendment included within the final submitted act prevents licensed operators from transferring their licences to other parties (i.e. through merger and acquisition activity) without first informing Dutch authorities.
The use of bonuses by licensed operators is also strictly limited, with operators required to explain all terms under which they are awarded and an obligation to allow players to turn off from receiving future bonuses.
Operators will be prohibited from advertising gambling-related services between 6am and 9pm under the amended act, with the sole exception of “neutral” sponsorship mentions made through media partners.
Under the amended act, operators must display the time, length of gaming session and player account balance on every page of the player interface.
Players must also specify the maximum credit allowed on the gaming account, although all limits can be amended with a week-long notice.
Sports betting operators cannot offer markets on any youth competitions, as well as any event in which athletes participate for free.
Licensees must operate a single player account and are required to not allow gambling on any player account where the balance of that account is negative.
According to the submitted act, operators must locate their servers either in the Netherlands, another EU member state or in the country in which its headquarters is located. All licensed operators must also develop and maintain an addiction-prevention policy.
Under the terms of the European Commission’s review, the act now enters a three-month standstill period under which interested parties and stakeholders can submit feedback on the proposed measures.
Once this window elapses, the EC will commence its own review of the act, assessing its compatibility with EU law. If the act is found to be compatible, the EC will approve it, clearing the way for the Dutch market to begin.
The Dutch market is scheduled to commence in July 2021, six months after the Remote Gaming Act becomes law.