For several years, the Dutch online casino market has offered a range of gambling options to customers in the country. To supply their services to customers in the Netherlands, operators need to secure a license and ensure compliance with the market’s strict regulations.
In an effort to protect consumers from illegal gambling and contribute to the fight against unlawful gambling, a new initiative seeks to collect reports from licensed providers and other stakeholders.
NOGA and VNLOK Confirm the Launch of a Gambling Hotline
This is the case for an initiative announced by NOGA and VNLOK, two Dutch trade associations representing the licensed online gambling industry in the country. The duo announced Monday the launch of a new gambling report hotline.
Thanks to the launch, licensed gambling operators, responsible gaming organizations and other stakeholders can file a report via www.meldvalsspel.nl. The reports can flag unlawful practices, including illegal gambling websites, misleading bonuses, iGaming providers that permit underage individuals to participate in gambling activities, among other issues.
Notably, the reports, collected by the illegal gambling report point, Meld Vals Spel, will seek to provide a better understanding of the methods used by illegal gambling operators. Ultimately, the accumulation of such crucial information is expected to help in the fight against illegal gambling, while at the same time ensuring the protection of vulnerable players.
Illegal Gambling Operators Target Vulnerable Players
Helma Lodders, VNLOK’s chairwoman and Eric Konings, NOGA’s acting director, spoke about the responsibility licensed online gambling providers have when it comes to the delivery of responsible, safe and legal services to their customers. While they acknowledged that more can be done in that aspect, the duo warned that “many Dutch people still come into contact with illegal gambling sites and apps.”
“These illegal parties actively respond to the increasingly strict Dutch regulations by, for example, advertising on search terms such as ‘playing without limits’ or ‘playing without Cruks’. In doing so, they specifically attract (vulnerable) players. These types of illegal practices endanger the safety of players and must be tackled firmly,“
explain Helma Lodders, chairwoman of VNLOK and Eric Konings, acting director of NOGA
Speaking about the dangers of illegal gambling, Lodders and Konings said that oftentimes such providers advertise their services with words such as “playing without limits” or “playing without Crucks.” Undoubtedly, this highlights the danger of illegal gambling websites, especially the ones targeting customers who are self-excluded from Crucks, the Dutch gambling self-exclusion database and system. Finally, the two executives said that the initiative will help in the fight against unlawful gambling, tackling practices that put players at risk.
