Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Insufficient Monitoring Exposes Gamblers to Potential ‘Severe Damage’ –
An examination of due diligence practices undertaken by Dutch online gambling permit holders indicates that players are susceptible to “severe damage” due to the inability of all operators to track gambling patterns in real-time.
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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Insufficient Monitoring Exposes Gamblers to Potential ‘Severe Damage’
The investigation, carried out by the Dutch gambling authority Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), evaluated ten online gambling permit holders, under the condition that they had been operational for a minimum of six months prior to June 1, 2022. The study scrutinized how these operators implemented due diligence policies.
The regulatory body requested the ten operators to furnish information on player monitoring, internal procedures, player data, and addiction prevention strategies. Based on this data, the distribution of losses and playing time was analyzed.
However, this did not provide the KSA with sufficient information, so the KSA decided to request two player files from each permit holder. The KSA requested that each permit holder provide a player file of a young adult and a player file of an adult aged 24 or older.
Potential ‘Severe Damage’
Because the study primarily focused on confidential business data, the KSA was unable to disclose specific details about its findings and instead opted to compile a report based on the data.
Supervisors have struggled to assess permit holders due to disparities in policies, structure, and execution.
The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) highlighted that gamblers “could experience substantial financial losses within a brief timeframe” because not all operators are capable of tracking gambling patterns in real-time. The KSA discovered that permit holders employ diverse techniques to monitor gambling behavior.
These methods originate from internal or external sources. Certain operators utilize risk assessment systems that determine the probability of risk based on specific indicators. Occasionally, machine learning is utilized to implement this system.
Supervisors stated that risk scores are typically computed daily for each gambler. Other operators employ triggers, which vary for each gambler.
The KSA found that real-time surveillance varies among operators. However, it added that most permit holders utilize fixed limits that are monitored and calculated multiple times per day. According to operators, “this enables near real-time monitoring.”
The recent drive for safer gambling in the Netherlands resulted in a prohibition on most forms of advertising in July. This forbids advertising on television, radio, and printed materials, as well as in public spaces.
**Duty towards youth**
All operators involved in the study deemed young people to be a susceptible group. Although the law does not mandate stricter restrictions on young people, all permit holders, except one, have implemented them.
The Netherlands’ gaming oversight body (KSA) states that youthful adults might be less noticeable in gambling behavior tracking. This is because they might not meet specific thresholds, as loss limits are established.
This suggests that youthful adults may not be receiving sufficient intervention. The KSA adds that some operators have implemented additional safeguards for players between the ages of 24 and 30.
**Following Steps**
The KSA indicates in its report that it will strengthen its own due diligence policies and propose changes to legislation to the Ministry of Justice and Security.
The regulator further states that operators have requested “a more consistent interpretation or explanation of certain standards to create a more equitable playing field and ensure that they all comply with the same rules.”
The Dutch Online Gambling Association (NOGA) has taken note of the due diligence discrepancies highlighted in the KSA report. It adds that it supports the regulator’s suggestions to the Ministry of Justice.
“The KSA’s investigation into the interpretation of due diligence by ten licensed providers reveals that there are substantial differences in how providers are fulfilling their due diligence in this new market,” reads a statement from NOGA.
“Therefore, the KSA is reinforcing its policies and making recommendations to the Ministry of Justice and Security to clarify laws and regulations. NOGA supports these recommendations.”
NOGA has consistently championed the establishment of uniform and transparent standards, demanding that all authorized vendors uphold their due diligence responsibilities in a standardized manner. This will bolster consumer safeguards and offer unambiguous direction for suppliers.”
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