The Nationaal Rapporteur Verslavingen (NRV), also known as the Netherlands’ National Rapporteur on Addictions, has unveiled a comprehensive report containing 22 recommendations aimed at limiting and preventing gambling-related harm. The report, authored by Arnt F.A. Schellekens, a Professor of Addiction and Psychiatry at Radboud University, covers various facets of the issue, including banking, marketing, and prevention.
Key Recommendations Across Ten Categories
The 22 recommendations are categorized into ten distinct areas, outlining a multifaceted approach to tackling gambling-related harm. Some of the notable points include:
Enhancing cooperation between operators and healthcare providers.
Establishment of an addiction prevention policy guided by independent experts.
Imposing operator liability if they fail in their duty of care.
Adopting player limits similar to those introduced in Germany, encompassing deposit, time, balance, and loss limits.
Implementing stricter measures for young adults, differentiating their allowances from other age groups.
International Inspiration
The report looks to other European nations for inspiration, with Germany, Belgium, and Italy serving as reference points. Germany’s player limit policies have influenced the NRV’s recommendations, aiming to standardize limits for all players, except for young adults who may face more stringent restrictions.
Belgium’s ban on personalized gambling advertising has also caught the NRV’s attention, aligning with their vision to reduce the exposure of vulnerable individuals to gambling marketing.
Italy’s comprehensive ban on gambling advertising further reinforces the NRV’s stance on minimizing the influence of advertising on individuals susceptible to gambling harm.
In his remarks, Professor Schellekens emphasized the urgency of policy adjustments and the prioritization of preventing gambling-related harm and providing support to those affected. He highlighted the continued focus on online gambling in the years to come.
A Call for Priority on Harm Prevention
The report underscores the need for a proactive and comprehensive approach to address the complex issue of gambling-related harm. With the impending regulation of the Dutch online gambling market, these recommendations aim to ensure that harm prevention remains at the forefront of the industry’s efforts.
Earlier this year, Peter Paul de Goeij, Managing Director of the Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA), discussed the regulatory challenges faced by sports betting companies in the Dutch market, emphasizing the evolving landscape of online gambling in the country.