Could Netherlands Gambling Reform Open the Doors for Crypto Casino?

The Netherlands is set to see a comprehensive shake-up in gambling legislation after the State Secretary promised a revamp of existing rules and regulations.

The Minister outlines that the current vision, established almost 15 years ago, is outdated. A potential modernization of laws could be good news for crypto casino. Currently, there are no crypto-regulated operators in the Netherlands.

However, policy expansion will currently be placed on hold as State Secretary for Legal Protection Teun Struycken has emphasized that protecting players against the risks of “negative gambling” is the first priority. His initial statement outlines five areas he will target, notably raising the minimum age for participating in ‘high-risk’ online games to 21 years old.

He described the results of an evaluation of the Remote Gambling Act as worrying, adding: “The most important starting point for me is to protect all citizens from gambling-related harm. In doing so, I go beyond preventing addiction, and I also look at other damage that participation in games of chance can cause, such as debt.”

The State Secretary is also focussing on minors and young adults, continuing: “ It is necessary to protect all people, especially those who have not yet come into contact with games of chance or who have stopped gambling. I am particularly targeting minors and young adults.”

In a government-issued statement, Struycken continued: “The most important starting point for me is to protect all citizens from gambling-related harm. In doing so, I go beyond preventing addiction, and I also look at other damage that participation in games of chance can cause, such as debt.”

As proposed by Struycken, the new Dutch gambling bill will include:

• Increasing the minimum age to 21: Should a consumer wish to gamble with a high-risk online gaming product, they must be 21 years old.
• Harsher deposit limits and affordability: Holders of a Dutch license must undertake affordability checks and adhere to a statutory defined deposit limit.
• Increased consumer protection requirements: Gaming operators will be subject to tighter rules surrounding consumer protection.
• Restriction on marketing: There will be stricter limits on gambling advertising aimed at reducing the appeal of gambling amongst consumers.
• Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) to have more power: The Netherlands’ gambling authority will be given greater authority to oversee operators’ conduct and block illegal activity.

The previous government minister altered legislation. Currently, the Netherlands has mandatory deposit limits. These are, by month: €350 for players aged 25+ and €150 for players under 25.

A draft bill is expected by the end of 2025, so as the market shifts, there is potential for other seismic changes.

Dutch Government Plans Major Gambling Reforms to Strengthen Player Protection

Late last year, the Dutch government opened a public consultation on proposed laws requiring cryptocurrency service providers to collect and share user data with the local tax authority. This would align the Netherlands with broader European Union rules.

The Ministry of Finance said nothing would change for crypto owners, given that the country already requires currency holders to submit a tax return.

In an official government release, the ministry claimed that European Union tax authorities do not yet have “sufficient insight” into crypto, which could lead to an uneven playing field in the financial sector.