The new-look self-exclusion platform, KSA said, makes it easier for consumers to temporarily exclude from gambling, while a minimum exclusion period of six months will remain for players.
Those that wish to return to gambling after their set period of exclusion will first have to go through an eight-day “reflection” period before they can resume gambling. This, KSA said, would help discourage impulsive unsubscription from Cruks.
Other updates to the scheme include a switch in the language referring to Cruks, whereby the ‘Play Break’ message will be replaced with ‘Gambling Stop’. KSA said this comes after research suggested the term ‘Play Break’ did not cover the full reach of Cruks.
Launched in October 2021 to correspond with the opening of the country’s legal igaming market, Cruks applies to arcades and casinos as well as online games of chance.
Licensed operators in the Netherlands are required to integrate with the scheme and check the list to ensure any existing or new customers have not registered to self-exclude from gambling.
Since going live, more than 38,000 players in the Netherlands have signed up to the scheme.
Advert ban
The revamp comes after Dutch Minister for Legal Protection Franc Weerwind last week confirmed that a nationwide ban on untargeted gambling advertising will come into effect from 1 July.
All television and radio adverts, as well as ads in public spaces, such as on billboards, will be banned from 1 July. However, advertising on the internet and television on demand will be allowed, but under strict conditions.
Internet advertising such as social media and targeted advertisements will only be permitted if an operator can actively prevent these adverts from reaching young people under the age of 24. Targeted ads at consumers in this age bracket is illegal in the Netherlands.
Operators must also show that at least 95% of the advertising reached people who were 24 years or older, while consumers should be given the chance to indicate that they do not want to see these adverts.