The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), gaming regulator for the Netherlands, has announced that it is to host a meeting with interested parties in the gambling sector next month, regarding what it describes as “the risks of the increasing mix of gaming and gambling”.
Being organised at The Hague on October 15, it follows previously conducted research into the trend, which the KSA details also grabbed the attention of a raft of foreign regulators.
Regarding its worries, the KSA points to “the increasing interweaving of games and games of chance,” which it stated “happens especially in the digital domain”.
Going on to further detail the reasons behind calling the meeting, and the concern it has, the KSA explained: “Games and games of chance are not always offered separately on the internet. Gambling is advertised on gambling websites and vice versa. Gambling elements pop up in games, and typical casino games such as roulette can be played as a game.”
Adding in its media release “”There are risks to gambling, such as gambling addiction. From the literature it is known that exposure to games of chance at a young age increases the risk of gambling addiction in later life.
“To be able to offer a game of chance a license is required, for offering games not. Conditions for offering a game of chance include exclusion of minors and having prevention policy in the field of gambling addiction.”
In addition to this the KSA has also laid out a number of referral points, which it believes could lead to the limitation of such risks:
- The strict separation of the digital offer of games and games of chance.
- Restrictions on the advertising of games with betting elements.
- An age rating of games with betting elements.
- Information to parents and schools about the risks of games of chance and games with betting elements.
The meeting, which has a limited number of places, will take place in The Hague on October 15, 2018 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the Hoftoren (next to the Central Station).
