The Netherlands Playing Authority (Kansspelautoriteit – KSA) has revealed plans to create a brand new class of working license designed particularly for skill-based gaming machines. The transfer is meant to streamline the licensing course of for companies that function solely talent machines, with out providing conventional video games of likelihood.
New Licensing Possibility for Ability Machine Operators
At current, just one sort of Dutch working license covers all gaming machines, together with these in amusement halls, catering venues, and skill-based gadgets. The KSA said that this unified system typically locations pointless administrative burdens on operators whose merchandise rely totally on participant talent slightly than luck.
To deal with this, the regulator will quickly make obtainable a restricted working license solely for talent machines. The brand new choice follows repeated requests from operators searching for a definite class that displays the distinction between video games of talent and likelihood. The authority confirmed that functions for this license could possibly be processed sooner as a result of a shorter and extra focused evaluate interval.
KSA defined that talent machines are outlined as slot machines that “don’t award prizes aside from further or longer video games” and the place “the course of the sport relies upon totally or nearly totally on the talent of the participant.” Traditional examples embody pinball machines, the place gamers can win further balls by way of efficiency slightly than random likelihood. Any slot machine that doesn’t meet these standards is robotically categorized as a playing or chance-based machine.
Shorter Overview Process Anticipated
The regulator mentioned extra particulars concerning the utility course of can be made obtainable quickly. Nonetheless, operators can already submit their requests to the KSA for consideration. The brand new license is anticipated to contain a sooner approval course of than conventional machine licenses, permitting operators to enter the market extra effectively.
In its official communication, the KSA emphasised that this new framework meets an current demand within the trade. By making a clearer separation between skill-based and chance-based machines, the authority goals to make sure extra applicable regulatory oversight whereas decreasing bureaucratic delays.
Broader Slot Machine Reforms Below Dialogue
The introduction of the brand new talent machine license comes amid a wider evaluate of slot machine laws within the Netherlands. Earlier in October, Secretary of State for Authorized Safety Arno Rutte introduced that his workplace is inspecting a number of analysis reviews on playing as a part of an effort to replace outdated insurance policies on land-based slots.
Amongst these reviews is the KSA’s personal research on the affect of tax will increase and participant safety measures. The findings highlighted that many slot-related laws have remained largely unchanged because the yr 2000. Key areas of focus embody gamers’ preferences for utilizing money throughout play, public responses to new ID verification necessities, and the overall have to modernize supervision of land-based gaming environments.
Continued Enforcement In opposition to Unlicensed Actions
The regulator’s reform efforts construct on earlier enforcement actions towards unlicensed gaming operators and affiliate web sites selling unlawful playing. In December 2021, the KSA reported that it had investigated greater than 20 such web sites, discovering 15 in breach of the Dutch Playing Act. The authority warned that penalties and cease-and-desist orders may comply with for repeat offenders.
On the similar time, the regulator reiterated that each promoting and providing video games of likelihood and not using a legitimate license are prohibited beneath Dutch legislation. Operators discovered accepting gamers from the Netherlands with out authorization face monetary sanctions, as illustrated by fines issued in 2021 towards Tipico and N1 Interactive.
By combining enforcement with progressive licensing initiatives reminiscent of the brand new talent machine allow, the KSA continues to refine its regulatory framework — aiming for a balanced method that encourages reliable leisure whereas defending shoppers and sustaining market integrity.
Supply:
“KSA launches new talent machines license”, igamingbusiness.com, October 21, 2025.
