René Jansen, chairman of the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa, gaming authority in the Netherlands) and the Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF), has published an interesting article that analyzes the new powers of the Ksa after the approval of the new regulation of online gaming.
In this regard, Jansen has highlighted the importance of adapting the regulations to combat illegality and crime, as well as to protect users from problematic gaming, especially in a very different scenario compared to 1964 when the Bets and Gaming Law came into force.
Next, we share the full article:
New Powers
In the Dutch gaming world, a lot of attention is currently being paid to the legalization and regulation of online games of chance. That is logical and rightly so: after all, it is the most striking modernization of Dutch games of chance policy. I've written many blogs about it.
In this blog I would like to highlight another and less exposed aspect of the Remote Gaming Act (Koa). These are the extra powers that the Gaming Authority (Ksa) has been given to combat illegality and crime. In addition to protecting consumers and preventing gaming addiction, this is one of the main legal tasks of the Ksa.
To be honest: we could use those extra powers, it was about time. The Betting and Gaming Act (the Wok, the Koa Act is in fact an addition to an amendment to this Act) dates from 1964. The world looked very different then. For example, there was no internet yet, to name perhaps the biggest difference between then and now. As a result, the legislator could not consider the illegal offering of online games of chance.
What are those extra powers that the Ksa was given by the Koa Act? These are to be precise in Articles 34a to 34n of the new Wok. It always concerns powers in administrative law and help the Ksa in combating illegality and crime, both online and offline. I'll name a few here.
Offline, the inspectors of the Ksa were given the authority - under certain conditions, of course - to seal business premises and objects, so that further investigations can take place later. Another additional power is the possibility to enter and search a home without the resident's permission. Our inspectors can now also seize objects. In the old situation, the Ksa always had to rely on the (criminal) powers of the police.
Several powers have also been added to the Ksa's toolbox to combat online illegality. An important point is that the Ksa may use a false identity during the investigation, so that the Ksa can reveal abuses through mystery shopping. And perhaps the most important additional power is to be able to give a binding instruction to financial service providers to discontinue their services if they work for illegal gaming providers. In the old situation we could only request that, not enforce it. No pay no play!
I just want to say that regarding Dutch gaming policy, there is more going on than just the imminent legalization and regulation of online games of chance. Other parts of the new legislation also contribute to creating a safe environment for people who want to participate in games of chance as much as possible.
Rene Jansen
18+ | Juegoseguro.es – Jugarbien.es
