Yesterday, on December 4th, it was announced that seven licensed Dutch betting operators were found to be accepting wagers on events featuring competitors who were under 21 years old. According to Dutch regulations, operators are allowed to take bets only when every participant is at least 21.
Additionally, the Dutch gaming authority discovered that two of the operators were offering prohibited types of bets. These included wagers on specific players receiving red or yellow cards or on the total number of corners in a football match.
The violations occurred during the 2023-24 football season, but the regulator did not disclose the names of the operators or the specific events involved. The regulator has instructed all licensees involved to cease offering these types of bets to Dutch players and warned others to report any similar errors or face potential consequences.
The authority has planned follow-up checks on the operators. Any failures to comply with Dutch gambling regulations may lead to sanctions.
### Why Are These Bets Prohibited in the Netherlands?
While betting on youth sports and events like in-game corner kicks or cards is common in other regions, the Netherlands prohibits such activities. The Dutch gaming authority explained that individuals under 21 can be more susceptible to manipulation. Thus, a ban on betting where any participant is under 21 is in place to mitigate this risk and protect young people. Furthermore, in-game events like corner kicks can be easily manipulated, heightening the risk of match-fixing.
Dutch licensees, even those operating across different regulated markets, must adhere to these rules.
### Challenges Posed by Black Market Betting in the Netherlands
These regulations apply solely to Dutch licensees, while unauthorized operators continue to provide a wide range of betting options. In October, the Dutch gaming authority published data indicating that the current channeling of online gambling within the Netherlands is at 95%. However, other data on player spending suggests it’s closer to 87% due to the prevalence of illegal sites.
Recently, a government-led review of the existing regulations highlighted failures in promoting responsible gambling and player protection. Subsequently, two Dutch operator associations launched a system to report and address illegal gambling activities. This initiative involves the Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA), Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders (VNLOK), other licensees, partner organizations, and professional stakeholders.
Prior to this, VNLOK and NOGA had advocated for increased oversight of black market gambling activities.