Dutch gaming regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) issued three warnings to operators in August for violating the country’s new untargeted ban on gambling advertising.
The Netherlands’ new ad restrictions came into effect on 1 July. Following this date, KSA said it became aware that online operators had continued to advertise on billboards and bus shelters. This breached the new rules.
After being notified of the breaches, KSA said it contacted the operators to request more information. It added that after “adequate responses and immediate action”, it opted to issue warnings instead of fines.
The ads did not appear again.
Dutch ban on untargeted gambling ads
The new rules mean that gambling ads cannot be placed in public spaces, or in spaces accessible to the public. This prohibits advertising on billboards and in bus shelters, and in places such as cinemas, arcades and casinos. Advertising on TV and radio is also banned.
Advertising on the internet, through direct mail or on social media is still permitted “under strict conditions”.
The regulator said its goal is for 95% of those viewing the ads to be over the age of 24.
Prior to the ban, KSA said it would only be issuing “limited” guidance on implementation, preferring operators to take the lead.
Also before the ban, the Dutch gambling industry created a new set of self-regulation guidelines, the advertising code for online games of chance.
