Dutch MPs vote to ban ‘untargeted’ gambling adverts

Dutch members of parliament have greenlit legislation which could ban the use of so-called ‘untargeted’ gambling advertising in the Dutch market. Plenary meetings were held earlier this week to discuss a motion by MP Michiel van Nispen proposing the ban in the Dutch House of Representatives. After a formal discussion of several motions relating to the new market, the motion was passed to a formal vote, attracting support from governing parties, the Christien Unie and CDA voiced their support for the proposal. Other parties including D66 and VVD, BBB, FVD, and Groep Van Haga voted to reject the motion, which will now pass to the next stage of the Dutch political process. Speaking at the initial debate, Van Nispen said “We have been very concerned since the opening of the gambling market. We are indeed bombarded by advertisements. We see that there are very large risks. “Since the opening of the online gambling market there has been a large increase in the number of hours people spend on online gambling sites and that consumers are bombarded on all kinds of media with a large amount of untargeted advertisements for remote gambling,” Van Nispen said. The MP cited the “major social consequences” arising from the proliferation gambling advertising suggesting current advertising levels were “disproportionate” to channelisation objectives. In comments reported by Dutch news site Casino Nieuws, Dutch trade association NOGA which counts bet365, Flutter, Kindred and Betsson among its membership said it “regretted” the motion. “However, the House has sent a strong message and it is now up to the Minister to implement this motion. NOGA will in any case continue to work with all partners to ensure the highest possible channelization and safe gambling in the Netherlands,” NOGA said. Fellow trade association VNLOK, which represents a number of land-based licensees echoed much of NOGA’s comments, citing a potential drop in channelisation rates to licensed operators. “The online advertising for games of chance is intended to be channelled. To lead as many players as possible (objective of the minister is 80%) from the illegal to the legal providers,” VNLOK said. “We have taken note of the motion. We’re going to study that. The signal from the House of Representatives is clear. It is now up to the minister how he will implement this,” the trade body added. The vote comes just 24 hours after the unveiling of a new VNLOK authored Dutch code of conduct for gambling advertising which calls for swinging restrictions on operator advertising.