Dutch Politician Aims to Ban Online Gambling, Despite Its Revenue Success
Date posted: October 16, 2023, 06:49h.
Last updated: October 16, 2023, 06:49h.
Since the legalization of online gambling in the Netherlands in 2021, the industry has generated over $1 billion in revenue for the country. However, one politician, Ann Kuik of the Dutch Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party, is determined to ban online gambling in spite of its success.
Kuik’s proposed legislation to overturn the law has gained support from her party, as mentioned on their website. The CDA aims to implement stricter regulation and higher taxation for gambling providers, although the timing of the bill’s introduction seems questionable, with the upcoming House of Representatives elections just around the corner.
Protecting Consumers or Stifling the Market?
The CDA has consistently expressed its opposition to gambling, citing concerns about addiction. Their proposed solution is to repeal the Remote Gambling Act (Koa), claiming it is necessary to safeguard Dutch citizens. After two years of legalized online gambling, Kuik believes the promised player protection has not been adequately achieved.
“We are seeing a huge increase in gamblers, 21 percent of whom are also young adults. This law is a product of the prevailing neoliberal political wind, in which it is not the interest of protecting the vulnerable that comes first – but profit and the free market,” asserts CDA parliamentarian Ann Kuik.
Although the review of the online gambling segment is scheduled for 2024, Kuik is not willing to wait. However, her proposed ban raises concerns regarding offshore gambling, as previous studies have shown that blocking online gambling sites completely is virtually impossible. Furthermore, problem gambling tends to be more prevalent in unregulated environments.
The argument that problem gambling is on the rise in the Netherlands is not supported by evidence. According to a report published on Research Gate, the country has one of the lowest problem gambling rates in Europe, standing at 0.6%. Only Germany fares better, with a rate of 0.4%.
An Uphill Battle for Kuik
The House of Representatives receives an average of 12 private member’s bills each year. These bills are proposed individually by members of Parliament, serving various purposes such as pressuring the government or raising awareness on specific issues.
Once a private member’s bill is submitted, the House of Representatives seeks advice from the Council of State and conducts a feasibility study. Discussions on the bill involve government members acting as advisors. The bill then goes through the Senate for further scrutiny. If approved, it must be signed by the King and the responsible minister.
It remains uncertain when Kuik’s bill will be submitted, as the CDA currently has other pressing matters to address. Drafting the bill will require extensive time and effort.