Dutch Regulator Issues Practical Guidance for Casinos

Dutch Regulator Issues Practical Guidance for Casinos

The KSA has issued new guidance for casinos and slot machine halls following a series of visits to venues across the country. The move signals a renewed effort to ensure that land-based operators are meeting their obligations under the duty of care principle, a central part of Dutch gambling policy aimed at protecting players from potential harm.

The KSA explained that while most halls and casinos demonstrate awareness of their responsibility to limit the risks associated with gambling, the way this responsibility is carried out is not always consistent. The regulator emphasized that the new guidance does not introduce new legislation, but rather provides practical examples, explanations, and supporting materials designed to bridge the gap between regulatory expectations and daily practice.

Under Dutch law, operators are required to take active steps to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm. For land-based venues, this means monitoring customer behavior, intervening where necessary, and ensuring that protective measures are consistently applied. The KSA noted that although operators often show commitment in principle, the translation of these commitments into practice has been uneven.

This new set of materials, developed in consultation with stakeholders, aims to help staff and management better align their operations with the duty of care. It provides examples of practical interventions and outlines what the regulator expects from license holders. The guidance is supplemented with an FAQ section to address recurring uncertainties, as well as a poster and an animation created to raise awareness among employees.

Alongside the duty of care materials, operators have also received a guideline covering identity verification and use of Cruks, the Dutch national self-exclusion register. The KSA said many venues had questions about the correct application of Cruks, particularly in cases where technical or procedural complications arise. The updated document answers common questions and provides clarity on how venues should respond in such cases.

Ensuring effective checks against Cruks is seen as a critical safeguard in the Dutch market. By registering with the system, individuals can block themselves from both online and land-based gambling. The regulator views consistent application of these checks as essential to protecting those who have voluntarily opted out.

KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen highlighted that the duty of care can present different challenges for land-based operators compared to online platforms. Digital providers can use data monitoring to detect unusual playing patterns, while casinos and halls must rely more heavily on staff observation. According to Groothuizen, many venue operators have expressed willingness to strengthen their practices but admit that the practical application is not always straightforward.

The regulator hopes that the new tools will help bridge this gap. “With this guidance and the supporting material for employees, we provide venues with new instruments,” Groothuizen explained. “In this way, players are also given effective protection in land-based settings.”

By framing the new initiative as guidance rather than fresh regulation, the KSA has opted for a collaborative approach. Instead of introducing additional legal requirements, the authority is offering operators practical resources to help them meet existing obligations more effectively. This method reflects an effort to foster compliance through clarity and cooperation rather than through punitive measures.

Industry representatives have generally welcomed such moves, noting that more explicit instructions make it easier for staff to understand what is expected of them. For operators, the guidance may help to ensure consistent standards across different venues, reducing uncertainty and aligning practices more closely with regulatory objectives.

The new guidance arrives in a period of heightened attention to gambling regulation in the Netherlands. Since the legal opening of the online market in 2021, the KSA has tightened advertising rules, enforced sanctions against unlicensed providers, and placed increasing emphasis on duty of care. Much of the debate has centered on digital gambling, but the authority has been clear that land-based establishments remain under the same obligation to protect players.