The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has announced the launch of a pilot program in collaboration with Gamban, a leading provider of gambling blocking software. The pilot program comes amid the Euro 2024 football campaign, with the aim of promoting responsible gambling among Dutch consumers.
The pilot program will see Gamban’s gambling-blocking software made available to a select group of Dutch consumers for free. Participants will be able to download the software onto their devices, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets, and block access to gambling websites and apps.
This initiative comes at a crucial time for the Netherlands, as the country prepares to introduce its new Remote Gambling Act later this year. The new legislation will open up the Dutch online gambling market to international operators for the first time, and the KSA is keen to ensure that consumers are protected from the potential harms of excessive gambling.
In a statement, René Jansen, chairman of the KSA, explained the rationale behind the pilot program: “As the online gambling market in the Netherlands expands, it is essential that we take proactive measures to protect consumers. By partnering with Gamban, we hope to empower Dutch consumers to make informed choices about their gambling behavior and stay in control of their spending.”
Gamban, which is known for its effective and user-friendly gambling blocking software, has expressed its enthusiasm for the collaboration with the KSA. Jack Symons, CEO of Gamban, commented: “We are delighted to be working with the KSA to promote responsible gambling in the Netherlands. Our software has been proven to help individuals reduce their gambling-related harm, and we look forward to supporting Dutch consumers in making responsible choices.”
The pilot program comes at a time when public awareness of the risks of problem gambling is increasing in the Netherlands. A recent survey conducted by the KSA found that over 80% of Dutch adults believe that more should be done to protect vulnerable individuals from the negative consequences of gambling.
The pilot program with Gamban is just one of the initiatives being launched by the KSA as part of its broader responsible gambling campaign ahead of Euro 2024. The regulator is also working with various stakeholders, including gambling operators, consumer organizations, and addiction treatment centers, to raise awareness about the risks of problem gambling and promote responsible behavior.
With the launch of the Gamban pilot program, the KSA is taking a proactive approach to tackling problem gambling in the Netherlands. By providing consumers with access to effective gambling-blocking software, the regulator hopes to empower individuals to make informed choices about their gambling behavior and prevent the potential harms associated with excessive gambling. The success of the pilot program will be closely monitored, with the aim of expanding the initiative to a wider group of consumers in the future.