Dutch Gambling Associations Call for Enhanced Black Market Monitoring

The Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA) and Licensed Dutch Online Gambling Providers (VNLOK) are urging the country's regulator to intensify its monitoring of the black market. This follows new data suggesting that channelisation rates in the Dutch online gambling sector are lower than previously reported. With a focus on substantial growth in the country's gambling market, the time to address regulatory concerns is now.

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) recently stated that the current online gambling channelisation rate in the Netherlands stands at 95%. However, figures related to Dutch player spending and revenue indicate the rate may be closer to 87%, as more consumers are turning to illegal sites.

Both NOGA and VNLOK have expressed concerns about the growing black market presence, highlighting that illegal websites are drawing higher player spend than licensed platforms. VNLOK chair Helma Lodders and NOGA acting director Eric Konings emphasize that the regulator should focus on improving black market monitoring to produce more accurate estimates of its size.

“It is very important to continue to monitor developments in the illegal market, but also to improve the current monitoring,” they said in a joint statement.

“The KSA rightly notes that the size of the illegal market is probably larger than the current figures show, because not all illegal providers can be included in the monitoring. It is crucial to strengthen monitoring in this regard.”

The trade bodies also raised concerns about player spending on illegal sites, particularly vulnerable groups who may not be adequately protected. “It is worrying that players who opt for the illegal offer spend more money there. We know that illegal gambling sites are particularly attractive to these groups [of vulnerable players],” they added.

They further noted that minors are able to access illegal gambling sites with ease, according to recent research, stating,

“These groups are now in danger of disappearing from statistics, while they deserve extra protection.”