NOGA warns of KOA advertising irregularities harming conduct duties

Peter-Paul de Goeij, Managing Director of The Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA), has criticised the advertising framework of the KOA Act regime that will be launched on 1 October.
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Peter-Paul de Goeij, Managing Director of The Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA), has criticised the advertising framework of the KOA Act regime that will be launched on 1 October.

In a response to Kansspelautoriteit’s (KSA) final advertising and marketing guidance, de Goeij warned that there could be irregularities in the regulations. 

NOGA cited that Dutch-licensed lottery and land-based operators do not comply with the rules relating to TV broadcast advertisements, which bans operators from having more than three adverts per commercial slot.

The organisation also noted that the irregular rules on remote operators for TV advertising conflicted with the level-playing field provisions that KSA had stipulated when developing the mandate of the KOA Regime.

de Goeij explained: “This code does not go far enough. The limit of three gambling advertisements per block applies only to internet gambling advertisements. 

“So, in addition to three advertisements for online gambling, Holland Casino, Gaston and Koning TOTO will be allowed to advertise their offline offerings without any restrictions.”

KSA chairman René Jansen had previously warned KOA operators of their duties in respecting the Dutch advertising code.

The regulator placed several restrictions on incentivising customers, in which bonuses cannot be used as promotional offers and campaign content cannot feature endorsements by athletes or celebrities.   

The launch of the KOA regime will see land-based and remote operators observe a Games of Chance watershed advertising restriction on TV broadcasts between 6 am and 7 pm. 

The KOA regime will implement the highest standards on database management, where incumbents are expected to track all player advertising engagements and cannot use data to re-target or incentivise players to wager more on platforms and products. 

“We support the code, but with the important addition that that cross-sector agreement of advertising volume control, is absolutely necessary and I would like to invite all colleagues, the media parties and the broadcasters – to get around the table in a coalition of willing, to jointly prevent a gambling advertising avalanche.” de Goeij commented on KOA duties and expectations.