iGaming Licensing Portal Launches in the Netherlands After Delay
The portal was held back due to technical problems but has finally launched. The previous delay was due to a flaw from the portal’s operator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).
The portal launch coincides with the Remote Gaming Act.
The act came into force on the morning of April 1st. The licensing portal was supposed to launch at the same time, but instead, it opened in the afternoon.
KSA chairman, René Jansen stated that April 1st was a day the KSA had been looking forward to. Thus, it would be a great disappointment if the portal was not able to open at the time legislation went into action.
The Remote Gaming Act and licensing portal should herd consumers towards legal iGaming providers.
The major aim of both the act and the licensing portal is to hinder illegal online gambling operations. With this legislation and through licensed operators, players will be more protected from harmful gambling activities and deception from illegal operators.
Jasen stated that licensing standards would be high for applicants. The market will officially open on October 1st, but the statement appears to foreshadow a limited licensed iGaming scene when that date comes. Still, Pay n Play Casino operators should not be deterred from applying.
The KSA clarifies its auditing requirements prior to the iGaming portal launch.
The day before the iGaming portal’s launch, the KSA announces some of its auditing criteria that operators need to provide. This includes the KSA’s acceptance of assurance reports and factual finding reports.
The factual findings report needs to be produced by an auditor, stating that the operator is not in bankruptcy as well as compliance with rules regarding the guarantee of player credit.
The KSA expects to receive 40 applications, granting around 35.
In contrast to the KSA’s optimism, a report by the NOGA (Netherlands Online Gaming Association) stated that consumers aren’t particularly excited about legal offerings come October. Only 2% of poll takers plan to open an account once the market opens.