KSA targets ‘data-driven’ regulatory approach to online market

Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) chairman René Jansen has said the Dutch regulator will pursue a ‘data-driven’ approach to the regulation of online gambling when the market launches in October. Speaking at a forum organised by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), Jansen cited regulatory demands on prospective Dutch licensees would include the creation of a so-called ‘data safe’ to interact with the regulator. “As of this date, [1 October] licensed operators will be obliged to set up a data safe and periodically provide data from this vault to the KSA,” Jansen explained. “This data will lay solid foundations for our supervision activities. We developed a format that specifies what data we require and how and in what form it should be provided. “We recently invited a few operators to test this format, and to work together with us to determine whether our ideas are practically applicable. “In any event, an important focus of our oversight activities will be whether sufficient attention is paid to the prevention of gambling addiction,” Jansen added. Rene Jansen, chair of the KSA The KSA chief revealed Dutch regulators are currently processing 29 licence applications. He believes many more applicants will come forward once operators get used to the country’s regulatory requirements and deal with the implications of a 29% tax rate on online gambling. “As I said before, strict demands have been set for these operators, and I would certainly not rule out the possibility that several companies are working on compliance with these requirements before submitting their application. “There may also be other operators who are waiting to apply for a licence due to the mandatory ‘cooling-off’ period,” he added. Jansen highlighted the positive role of the cooling-off period in providing a deterrent to the expansion of illegal gambling following its introduction into the Dutch Remote Gaming Act. “Operators were clearly anticipating this move,” Jansen explained. The deterrence of illegal gambling, Jansen revealed, would be of particular focus to the regulator once regulated market operations begin in October, with the KSA pledging to beef up its approach. “The act gives us plenty of extra powers to do this and we will make the very most of these new competences,” he explained. “The most important of these new legal provisions is the power to block payment transactions between illegal operators and players by issuing legally binding instructions to payment service providers,” Jansen added. Discussing the new licensed market, the KSA chairman warned licensees not to seek to exploit the regulator’s relative inexperience. “Gambling operators must not seek to push the boundaries of the law,” Jansen warned. “Now, I understand that these appeals may not be easy to fulfil. After all, a new legal market is opening, all licensed operators will be competing hard to establish themselves and advertising will be a key factor in these efforts. “However, it should be done responsibly. And the operators must take into account the KSA’s supervision. Sounding a particular warning over operator marketing, Jansen added: “If the adverts encourage excessive gambling, or if the adverts are deceptive, then we can – and will – intervene.”