Nearing launch
The gambling regulator in the Netherlands is getting ready to launch its new self-exclusion program. The Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has outlined the technical details of the scheme, the Central Register Exclusion of Games of Chance (CRUKS).
CRUKS will be a mandatory requirement for all land-based license holders starting January 1, 2021.
A test version of CRUKS will be available to gaming operators on July 13, giving them plenty of time to make sure that they are familiar with the system and it works as planned. To start the implementation process, the KSA is advising operators to get a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate in order to meet the authentication requirements.
CRUKS will be a mandatory requirement for all land-based license holders starting January 1, 2021.
The new system
Once CRUKS is in place, casinos will have to conduct a check to see if guests are in the system before they can enter the property. If a person is on the self-exclusion list, they cannot enter the casino.
People on the list will be given a unique CRUKS Code that combines their gender, date of birth, name, and Citizen Service Number. Heavy penalties will be in place for any operators that allow a person on CRUKS to gamble at their facility.
As part of the new Remote Gambling Act, online gambling operators will also need CRUKS integration. This legislation does not go into effect until January 2021, though, and the licensed online gambling operations cannot begin until July 2021. Therefore, online gambling licensees are excluded from the CRUKS testing process for now.
Protecting gamblers
The KSA is committed to protecting gamblers in the country as much as possible as it gets ready to launch regulated online gambling for the first time. On June 22, the KSA began a tender process to appoint an operator of the new national problem gambling service.
On June 18, Minister for Legal Protection Sander Dekker provided clarification on how operators will ensure that they are not excessively advertising to Dutch residents. Dekker said that operators have to make sure that all promotions are fair. They can do so by providing clear information about the products being advertised and by highlighting the risks associated with gambling.
operators may not set unrealistic expectations
He also noted that operators may not set unrealistic expectations or downplay the risks of gambling. Finally, Dekker reiterated that operators cannot directly advertise to vulnerable parties, such as those with gambling issues or minors.