Minister Franc Weerwind of Legal Protection thus responds to the House of Representatives, which has been pushing for stricter rules for some time.
Sponsorship for online games of chance will soon also no longer be allowed, for example in TV programs or at sports clubs. There will be a transitional period for this, so that sports clubs, for example, can look for other sponsors. From July 1, 2024, it is no longer allowed for TV programs and events. Sponsoring sports clubs, for example with shirt advertising, is no longer allowed from 1 July 2025.
Strict conditions
Advertising via the internet remains permitted, for example on social media, but under strict conditions.
Since October 2021, online gambling has been legal in the Netherlands. There was immediately a lot of advertising for the gambling companies. Often with well-known names, such as former football players Andy van der Meijde and Wesley Sneijder.
Well-known Dutch people have not been allowed to advertise gambling companies since June last year. Now there is a law that will restrict it completely. When this law comes into effect, the providers of games of chance must actively prevent advertising from reaching young people under the age of 24 or other vulnerable groups.
Walking advertising pillars
SP Member of Parliament Michiel van Nispen, who championed the ban, is pleased that it will now actually be implemented. “The interests of the people of society are finally being put above those of big money.”
Van Nispen regrets that the minister is sticking to the transitional period for sports sponsorship. “It may continue until mid-2025. So until then, youth idols may continue to walk around the field as walking advertising columns for this addictive activity.”
Silently addicted
And ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker says about the ban: “Finally, that wave of irritating gambling commercials is coming to an end. Too many people, and certainly also young people, become addicted in silence, with all the misery that entails. We want the money-hungry gambling industry, which force themselves unscrupulously on vulnerable people, stop as soon as possible. Today we celebrate the success of firmly curbing their advertising. We can’t wait for the ban on shirt sponsorship and sports venues to come into effect. What England can do, we can do too.”
