Govt proposes “new vision” as Dutch Gambling Bill prioritises youth protection

The Netherlands will embark on a “fundamental change of course in gambling policy”, with a new gambling bill set to be proposed to the House of Representatives (Kamer) by the end of 2025.

The announcement was made by the State Secretary for Legal Protection, Teun Struycken, in response to the “worrying results” of the evaluation of the Remote Gambling Act (KOA), undertaken by the Kamer’s policy agencies in 2023 and 2024.

In a statement submitted by Struycken to the government on 14 February, he declared: “The most important principle in the new vision is the protection of all citizens against the risks of negative effects of gambling, such as addiction or debt.

“Special attention must be paid to minors and young adults. The reason for this change of course is that the current gambling policy does not yet sufficiently protect people against the risks of gambling.”

Responding to the KOA evaluations, the Kamer detailed that the current regime was grounded in policies set in 2011, whic..

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Denmark flags peak online casino GGR as ROFUS hits +55,000 users

Spillemyndigheden, Denmark’s Gambling Authority, has published its market statistics for Danish gambling in 2024.

The report covers the key segments of gross gaming revenues (GGR) for online casinos, sports betting, gaming machines, and land-based casinos. Lottery wagering is kept separate from gambling segments reported by Spillemyndigheden.

The Danish market’s gross gambling revenues totalled DKK 7.27 billion for the 12 months ending 31 December 2024, exceeding the DKK 6.80 billion recorded in the previous year.

2024 is deemed a ‘record year’ for online casinos in Denmark, as the segment generated a GGR of DKK 3,529m (€475m), up 14.5% on 2023 results of DKK 3,077m (€415m).

The report highlights a record December for online casinos, which generated a GGR contribution of DKK 347m (€47m). A breakdown of online casino activity in 2024 highlights the popularity of online slots over other games, generating 77% of GGR, approximately DKK 2,717m (€365m).

The sports betting segment (land-..

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A qualitative analysis of people who died by suicide and had gambling documented in their coronial file

Gambling was recorded in 23 Irish coroners’ files, representing 0.6% of all suicides during the six-year period. Males were overrepresented and less than half were in employment at the time of death. Distal risk factors included co-occurring mental health conditions (notably mood disorders), a history of drug and alcohol dependency, past suicide intent and/or behaviour,…

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2022 Public Health England study to promote a “comprehensive public health approach”

Policies and interventions to reduce harmful gambling: an international Delphi consensus and implementation rating study Public Health England (since disbanded, now the Office of Health Improvement & Disparities) convened a panel of 35 non-gambling industry public health “experts” to judge the efficacy of 103 measures to implement a “comprehensive public health approach” to gambling. The…

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Michigan orders nine more offshore casinos to hit the road

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is not letting up in its efforts to ensure the only online casinos taking state residents’ money are ones it has licensed. Michigan’s regulator announced on Wednesday it has sent cease-and-desist letters to nine more online casinos, alleging violations of state gaming laws: The platforms offer a range of casino-style games such as…

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EGBA backs EU’s plans for common harm markers framework

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has responded positively to the EU Committee for Standardisation‘s (CEN) draft on a common gambling harm markers framework.

Text proposals dictate that a set of markers of gambling harm is to be outlined and considered for adoption by online gambling operators across Europe for the purpose of detecting and preventing compulsive behaviours.

The initiative is based on a previous suggestion by EGBA for the implementation of the same model of problem gambling identification principles. The harm markers will be developed by a collaboration between academia, gambling regulators, operators, and harm prevention experts from across Europe.

The Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF) also backed CEN’s plans, explaining that a common problem gambling guidebook will be particularly useful for CEN member countries where duty of care regulations are loose or absent.

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, commented: “We very much welcome ..

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UK Government names OHID as Prevention Commissioner for statutory levy

The UK Government has announced that the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has been named as the Prevention Commissioner to help tackle gambling harm in the UK.

In response to the announcement, GambleAware has welcomed the appointment, but has called for current support to “continue to be recognised and sustained within the future system”. Gordon Moody has also welcomed the appointment.

However, concerns have also been raised by Deal Me Out Founder Jordan Lea and Dan Waugh of Regulus Partners.

OHID named as Prevention Commissioner

In a statement, the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth, Stephanie Peacock, confirmed the OHID as Prevention Commissioner.

Within the new statutory levy system, the OHID will work alongside the Treatment Commissioner NHS England and relevant bodies in Scotland and Wales, as well as the Research Commissioner UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Peacock said: “To ensure that there is sufficient trust, expertise and authori..

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