The Netherlands is known as the land of tulips and windmills, and now apparently, regulatory insanity. Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands Gaming Authority, in its infinite wisdom, is throwing a tantrum because the U.K. Gambling Commission doesn’t have the exclusive rights to stupidity. It’s like they’re competing for the “Most Clueless Regulator” award, and they’re determined to win. Let’s recap, shall we? In the past year alone, we’ve seen the Dutch target web-hosting providers, start monitoring player activity, ban online slots, impose deposit limits, use covert agents, ban gambling ads, AND raise taxes on our industry. Then, these intellectual giants have the audacity to act surprised that Dutch players are fleeing offshore. Quelle horreur! The regulator now whines that illegal operators are a “rising threat” and “stretching the limits of what is permissible.” First of all, let’s talk about hypocrisy. The Dutch are the ones who’ve been bending and contorting the rules so fast it’s a wonder they haven’t snapped in half. They’re the ones who’ve stretched (or, more accurately, strangled) the limits. So, maybe this isn’t so much a “rising threat” as it is a predictable consequence of their own actions. Second, there’s the issue of unlicensed operators using Google ads to target self-excluded players. That’s just despicable, and I know none of you fine folks would ever stoop so low. There is absolutely no justifiable argument for doing this. It has to be the most predatory form of greed we’ve ever seen. Let’s be clear, though, the Dutch regulators bear some responsibility for driving players into the arms of these less-than-scrupulous operators. Certainly not all, but some. It’s their market to destroy, just like the U.K., and it seems they’re determined to learn that lesson the hard way. And with that, we are nailing the hinds of the KSA to the APCW Wall of Shame. Welcome to the club! WALL OF SHAME Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) the Netherlands Gaming Authority Illustration by AlexLMX / Shutterstock GPWAtimes.org 68
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