The supervisory agenda for 2024 is unveiled by the Dutch regulator KSA.

The KSA will further up its efforts to safeguard vulnerable players in the Netherlands by focussing on addiction prevention in its pursuit of "safe gaming" mission. In 2023, the government implemented policies to achieve this goal, one of which was a ban on the majority of advertisements.

At least 90% of gamers should bet with legal suppliers in the Netherlands, according to the KSA's goal in fighting illegal online businesses. Yield Sec CEO Ismail Vali wrote an essay for iGB in December pointing out that the KSA's present strategy doesn't seem to be working in terms of enforcement.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has promised to continue helping its partners with physical domain enquiries, such as those involving the police and tax officials. Less "undermining" between different organisations is the regulator's goal.

Compliance with data providing is the last area of concern for the KSA. A "timely, complete and correct manner" is what the KSA is requesting when it comes to data. Consequently, the KSA will have an easier time quickly detecting any possible misconduct.

Gambling addiction is receiving more and more attention in the Netherlands (KSA).
In 2023, the Netherlands severely limited or outright banned advertisements.
Derk Boswijk of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party introduced a proposal earlier this month to outlaw gambling advertising in the Netherlands altogether. Although the initiative to extend the ban on untargeted advertising beyond 2023 was unsuccessful, it was the most recent sign of the growing concern in the Netherlands regarding the problems associated with gambling.

Dutch minister for legal protection Franc Weerwind proposed further safeguards against compulsive gambling in December.

As part of Weerwind's plans, service providers will have to get in touch with customers who have established a €350 (£303/$386) deposit limit. The operators have a responsibility to warn these players of the consequences of playing with such large sums.

At the beginning of February, the KSA concluded its consultations on revising the Responsible Gaming Policy Rules. The target date for the new regulations' publication is April.

A multi-year digital resilience marketing effort to combat online gaming fraud was also unveiled by Weerwind in October.

However, the industry has pushed back against Weerwind's suggestions. Weerwind was cautioned by Peter-Paul de Goeij, chairman of the Dutch Online Gambling Association (NOGA), that his proposals may discredit gambling.

Two points raised by Helma Lodders, chairman of the Licensed Dutch Online Gaming Providers (VNLOK), warrant further investigation in Weerwind's letter.

Keeping the number of problem players as little as possible is essentially the goal of the imposed regulations, Lodders noted.

And secondly, that most gamers who play responsibly still find the legal offer appealing enough. To keep them from going back to the illicit supply, the second one is crucial.