Second mass claim launched in the Netherlands to recoup player losses
Claim organization Gokverliesterug has launched a second mass claim against (previously) unlicensed online operators in the Netherlands. Gokverliesterug was initiated by British mass claim backers Dan Banton and Rob Ridge; and is represented by Utrecht-based law firm Finch.
A previous mass claim, led by Loonstein Advocaten, has reportedly already attracted over 20,000 participants.
The Dutch Supreme Court is expected to issue an advisory opinion on player claim cases early next year.
Mirjam Bikker and Eric Konings spar over gambling policy
MP Mirjam Bikker and Eric Konings, Interim Director of the Netherlands Online Gambling Association, both appeared on radio show De Nieuws BV to discuss the new player protection measures that entered into force this week in the Netherlands.
Bikker, a declared opponent of legalized online gambling, predictably maintained that the current rules are insufficiently far-reaching. Implementing additional rules for licensed operators should also take precedence over stricter enforcement against illegal offerings, Bikker further said.
Spelinspektionen: Sweden channelization rate at 86%
Sweden's gambling regulator Spelinspektionen estimates the country’s online channelization rate at 86%, up from 77% in 2022.
However, Spelinspektionen's estimate assumes that players are wagering the same amount per visit across both unlicensed and licensed operators, which the regulator itself said may not be the case.
Assuming turnover per visit is twice as much on a black-market website compared to a licensed website, the market channelization rate could be as low as 78%, the regulator admitted.
German regulator thanks public after receiving 1,500 tips about gambling irregularities
Germany's gambling regulator, Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), has thanked the country's population after revealing it received approximately around 1,500 tips about illegal online gambling operators since January 2023.
Of the 1,500 reports made since the start of 2023, around half related to suspected cases of illegal online gambling. The other half centered on possible irregularities at legal online providers.
The GGL's Co-Chair, Ronald Benter praised the role of the regulator's reporting portal: “This initiative is an important contribution to raising awareness of the risks of developing gambling addiction. Information from the public submitted via our whistleblower system plays an important role in this.”
ICE 2025 registration now open
ICE 2025 will take place for the first time at its new home, Barcelona's Fira Grand Via, on January 20-22.
Over 50,000 visitors are expected to attend the world's largest global gaming event.
Registration for ICE 2025 is now open.
PS: If you are exhibiting at ICE (or otherwise participating) and need help organizing your tailor-made evening event, please consider contacting Sapyns: https://www.sapyns.com/ice2025.
Save the date: The Las Vegas Book launch party
Years in the making, The Las Vegas Book, a 450-page luxury coffee table book illustrating the fascinating history of Las Vegas with more than 300 impressive photographs, will soon start rolling off the press.
The book's author, Joris Dekkers cordially invites Gaming in Holland members to the Las Vegas Book launch party on Monday, December 9. Location and time TBA.
Get your signed copy and enjoy a festive glass of champagne!
New online gambling protection measures introduced in Netherlands
On October 1, several new player protection rules entered into force in the Netherlands. The new rules include:
Monthly per-operator deposit limits of €700 (€300 for young adults). These limits may be increased if players can demonstrate their ability to afford higher losses.
A mandatory personal contact moment when new players set a personal monthly deposit limit of €350 or more (€150 for young adults). Existing players with higher deposit limits are shown a pop-up when first logging in after October 1.
Mandatory pop-ups every thirty minutes during active play highlighting money and time spent, as well as additional pop-ups when players reach 50% and 100% of their personal limits.
In response to these changes, illegal affiliates are already promoting “casinos without limits,” in response to which the KVA affiliate quality mark called on its members to create “casinos without limits” pages of their own to warn their visitors away from such offers.
Trade association VNLOK issued a statement saying that while the association welcomes effective player protection measures, overregelution of licensed offerings would increase the appeal of illegal gambling sites.
Other news
Three years after launch, CRUKS, the Netherlands’ national exclusion register, has passed the milestone of 80,000 registrations.
Global lottery operator Allwyn has announced that it is relocating its Allwyn International entity office from the Czech Republic to Switzerland.
Fake versions of well-known online casino games are a growing threat to iGaming operators and their customers.
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