Dutch Lawmakers Approve Full Ban on Online Gambling Ads

The House of Representatives in the Netherlands has voted to ban all online gambling advertisements, including those for online casino games like slots. 

The proposals, introduced by Socialist Party (SP) MP Michiel van Nispen, secured a narrow majority in the House.

The first proposal calls for an outright ban on all forms of targeted advertising related to gambling. The second proposal seeks to prohibit high-risk online casino games, with a specific focus on slots.

These proposals were approved following a series of debates held two weeks ago. Out of 114 proposals, 14 were gambling-related, and 10 were adopted by the House. The adopted proposals include mandatory financial risk checks for players and identity verification.

Van Nispen argued that such measures are necessary to mitigate the negative impacts of gambling addiction in the country.

This decision marks a shift from previous positions on gambling advertising. A similar proposal for a total ban on gambling ads did not receive enough support in February 2024. However, this time, the proposal passed with a slim majority of 77 votes.

Critics of the proposed changes caution that a full ban on gambling advertising could lead to unintended consequences, including the potential resurgence of the black market.