Dutch regulator will remove machines from family arcades to push for responsible gambling

The Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) supports removal of gaming machines from family arcades in order to control underage gambling.

Representing 70% of Hollands family arcades, Family Entertainment Centers (FEC) Nederland were the ones who initiated this plan. 

The FEC Nederland also requested that the government should amend legislation by making the removal of these machines based on chance compulsory from family arcades. They have also encouraged suppliers and non-members to jump onboard the project.

Nonetheless, family arcades oriented around “fairground games” with prizes instead of monetary rewards will continue to operate.  

The KSA have noted that minors remain unprotected when following the Games of Chance Act 1964; 

The legislator, who made this law in 1964, envisioned vending machines at traveling fairs and in amusement and holiday parks. The risk of developing gambling addiction in places where people stay for a short time was considered small. 

“The exception means that no model permission and operating permit are required for fairground machines. The disadvantage of this is that proper supervision is not possible.” 

The KSA continue stating: 

FEC Netherlands argues for amendment of the legislation so that fairground machines with games of chance are no longer possible; the KSA endorses this plea.

This announcement is in line with KSA’s recent amped up efforts to address problem gambling in the Netherlands. This follows the appointment of well-known healthcare academic Dr Gert-Jan Meerker as the new senior research advisor on gambling addiction and compulsive behaviours. 

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