New Gambling Deposit Limits Announced in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is introducing new deposit limits via its gambling industry authority, the Kansspelautoriteit. The new regulations have come into force on October 1, 2024.
Changes to online gambling deposit rules are coming in the Netherlands. © besteonlinecasinos, Pixabay
Netherlands Introduces Limits For Online Gambling Deposits
Limits for how much money players in the Netherlands can deposit into online gambling accounts have come into force.
Changes that were previously announced by the country’s gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) have now come into force.
Real-time monitoring is being brought in as part of a raft of fresh player protection measures.
Introduced under the Responsible Gaming Policy Rule, the amendments that came into force on October 1 aim to build awareness of fair play.
A gambling tax increase is also on the way in the Netherlands, aiming to raise funds for the state. From the start of January 2025, rates are set to rise from 30.5% to 34.2%.
Another increase to gambling taxes of 7.3% is also set to come into force in 2026.
What Changes Are Being Made?
Deposit limits are among the major changes that have been made in the Netherlands.
- New players who exceed a net deposit of €700 over the course of a calendar month will be blocked from depositing until the next month on a temporary basis.
- Young adults will only be able to deposit a maximum of €300 each calendar month.
- Proof of income will need to be supplied if players want to increase their limits.
- Existing customers will be prompted to review their online gambling deposit limits.
- New customers who opt to set a monthly deposit limit above €350 – reduced to €150 for young adults – must be contacted to make sure they understand the risks of gambling.
Notifications must also be sent by casinos every 30 minutes as a time check for players, with nudges provided when they hit 50% and 100% of their deposit limit.
VNLOK Supports Changes
Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders (VNLOK), which is the country’s trade group for licensed online gambling companies, has broadly backed the changes.
Chair of VNLOK Helma Lodders pointed out that the group’s members “have already taken extra-legal measures to provide additional protection for players”.
She said: “For example, with the Advertising Code for Online Gambling or stricter gaming limits for young adults. VNLOK is therefore in favour of proven effective measures that keep the Dutch online gambling market safe and responsible.”
Nevertheless, VNLOK has issued a warning about the threats posed by over-regulation. “With separate amendments to the law, the government ensures that the coherence in legislation and regulations disappears,” added Lodders.
“In addition, a number of measures impose higher thresholds for participation in online gambling. This reduces the legal supply and increases the appeal of illegal gambling sites.”
“Well-intentioned measures can thus have a counterproductive effect. It is important to carefully monitor the balance between strict regulation and preventing over-regulation from leading to an increase in illegal supply.”
