KSA Reminds Operators to Conduct Affordability Checks

The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), asked operators to make sure that their customers can afford playing. By making sure that the money players bet correspond to their income, companies can prevent gambling harm and money laundering.

KSA Asked Companies to Adhere to the New Rules

As outlined in the Responsible Gaming Policy 2024, gambling companies must conduct checks on all players who wish to deposit certain sums. For young adults (aged 18 to 24), this threshold stands at EUR 300. Adults, meanwhile, must have their spending capacity verified once they deposit over EUR 700.

This measure came into effect on October 1, 2024, and requires the use of objective evidence, such as pay slips and tax returns. The rules also state that certain income streams, such as tax refunds and loans, should not be taken into mind when determining the financial capacity of a player.

The KSA also warned against counting certain forms of wealth, such as owning a home.

In all case, operators must make sure that the information they receive is sufficient, correct and verifiable.

In addition to protecting players from spending more than they can afford, operators should keep an eye out for potential instances of money laundering. The KSA warned that larger deposits usually imply higher risks of fraud taking place.

Operators Must Make Sure Players Can Afford to Play

In the meantime, the KSA congratulated some operators for taking extra protective measures when dealing with clients. The regulator noted that, for example, some companies have prevented players up to the age of 24 from increasing their net deposit limit. Others charge a lower percentage for players with a low monthly income.

Conversely, there are also those who do not perform sufficient checks when determining whether their clients can afford to gamble.

The KSA reminded operators to always perform the checks, prevent players from spending more than they can afford and watch out for money laundering attempts. It vowed to continue monitoring the implementation of the safety measures outlined in the Responsible Gaming Policy 2024.

KSA Is Concerned about Gambling Harm in the Netherlands

Speaking of overspending, the Kansspelautoriteit recently analyzed player spending data, which showed that almost half of the country’s gross gambling revenue comes from a small percentage of players. In addition to reporting that 1% of gamblers spent 43% of all money spent on gambling, the KSA highlighted significant risks for young adults, especially males.

In line with the efforts to protect players, the Netherlands unveiled a new support center in Amsterdam. The facility will provide harmed players with the opportunity to share their stories and learn about the treatment they can receive