A framework for the prevention of

problem gambling in the Netherlands

from 2015

Helsinki EASG Conference 2014

Dennis Van Breemen - Netherlands Ministry

of Security and Justice

Malcolm Bruce - Gambling Integrity Services

Agenda for Modernization of Gaming

Legislation • Remote Gaming (2015) • Privatization Holland Casino (2016-2017) • Slot machine legislation • Lotteries (2015, 2017)

Prevention of problem gambling is the cornerstone and prerequisite for modernization

Cabinet Goal: modernization without rise of problem gamblers, reduce players at risk.

How to achieve the objectives of the new

Act? The process

Inputs

Current regulation

Draft Bill Remote Gaming

Scientific 'evidence'

Practical Knowledge

(International) Best practices

Other regulations

5 month process; 3 seminars

Stakeholders views:

Landbased + online Industry, treatment organisations, players,

researchers, gaming authority.

Advisors: Malcolm Bruce, Pieter Remmers plus MOSJ Team

Result

Framework for problem gambling

prevention

Recommendations for

lower regulation

Consensus, buy-in

A big innovation in gambling law?

New legal framework expands the

‘duty of care’

which places certain responsibilities

on operators

The responsibilities:

• Enable players to to set boundaries of play

• Provide a ‘stepped care’ system

• Provide information on responsible play and

help services

• To actively monitor player behaviour

• To intervene when signs of risky play arise

• To guide players to professional care when

needed

Plus some strong expectations

about…

Staff training

Promotions and advertising

Quality assurance

Recreational

players

Players with risky

playing behavior

Problem gamblers

Stepped care model

The more risky playing

behaviour a player shows,

the more we ask from the

operator in their support to

this player to get his playing

behaviour back under control

Information about the risks of

gambling

Player profile with minimum set of

indicators

Monitoring player behavior

Appropriate intervention

Information about self help

possibilities

Guidance to professional care

Possible involuntary exclusion

Responsible marketing and

communication

Game

characteristic

Type

appearance,

(financial) limit

s

Availability

Location, age,

amount,

anonimity

Marketing

& bonusses

Restrict

Inform

Observe

Intervene

Moderate & care

Cataloguing

player

behaviour

Preferred limits

against actual

Player Profile

limits

Frequency

& Behaviour

Information

Provision

RG-Info

Self-tests

Feedback

on time spent,

& money

played

Intervene

Motivational

feedback

Limit setting

Cooling-off

Central

register

for exclusion Care

Anonymous

Treatment

Exclusion

Partial

Universal

Involuntary

Guidance

to care Trained staff

Quality System

Responsible behaviour Player

Regulation, supervision and co-ordination by Gaming Authority; RG-Fund.

Next steps

• Convert recommendations for online to lower regulation Remote Gaming (Q3/Q4)

• Evaluate minimum for lower regulation and “room for growth”

• Establish Responsible Gaming Fund: research, anonymous care, ...

• Continue with stakeholder platform built