The regulatory authority in the Netherlands has recently highlighted significant compliance concerns within the country’s gambling sector. Dozens of complaints have been received by the regulator over the past few months from individuals who, despite being registered on the national self-exclusion register (CRUKS), were still able to access slot machine arcades. This indicates a serious breach in the protocols intended to protect vulnerable players from gambling-related harm.
CRUKS and its Role
CRUKS (Centraal Register Uitsluiting Kansspelen) serves as a central exclusion register for games of chance in the Netherlands. It plays a crucial role in identifying individuals who have voluntarily excluded themselves due to gambling addiction issues. The purpose of this register is to prevent these individuals from participating in gambling activities offered by licensed operators.
Regulatory Concerns
The Dutch regulator, KSA (Kansspelautoriteit), has expressed deep concern over operators’ failure to enforce CRUKS registrations effectively. Operators are legally required to verify a customer’s status on the CRUKS register before permitting access to gambling premises. However, according to the KSA, many operators are neglecting this responsibility.
Furthermore, instances have been reported where there was no access control in place at all, or worse, where the CRUKS registration status of players was disregarded entirely. Such lapses are deemed “very serious” by the regulator, especially considering that CRUKS participants have acknowledged gambling problems and are seeking control by self-exclusion.
Enforcement Actions
The KSA has indicated a firm stance on these violations. They have warned of impending sanctions against operators found to be in breach of the mandatory CRUKS verification procedures. The regulator emphasizes that the purpose of CRUKS is to safeguard individuals struggling with gambling addiction, and any oversight in this area is a direct threat to these vulnerable individuals.
Past Audit Findings
This recent scrutiny is not the first time the KSA has highlighted deficiencies in the gambling industry. In late 2021, the regulator conducted an audit of 20 slot machine arcades and concluded that many were failing to meet the country’s updated legal requirements. This underscores an ongoing challenge in ensuring full compliance within the sector.
Regulatory Evolution and iGaming Market
These compliance concerns have emerged amid significant changes in the Dutch gambling landscape. The launch of the regulated iGaming market in October 2021 coincided with the introduction of CRUKS. The register was heralded as a vital tool in combating gambling addiction, offering a platform for individuals to self-exclude from online and land-based gambling activities.
CRUKS Registration Process
Players have the option to voluntarily register themselves on CRUKS or can have someone from their support network submit a registration request on their behalf. Once registered, these individuals are legally prohibited from engaging in gambling activities with licensed operators.