The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) have extended their collaboration in a bid to deepen the fight against the illegal market in the Netherlands and the UK.
Effective utilisation of data is set to be at the heart of the collaboration, following the signing of another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dutch gambling market regulator.
It is the first time that the commission has signed a follow-up agreement with any country, as the two regulators from the UK and the Netherlands have been sharing best practices since April 2021.
Signed by UKGC CEO Andrew Rhodes and KSA Chair Michel Groothuizen, the agreement will see the sharing of regulatory data and collaboration on key issues such as tackling the illegal market and player protection.
In a LinkedIn post, the UKGC said: “We’re pleased to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), our regulatory counterparts in the Netherlands.
“While at the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) in Canada, we had fruitful discussions with many international regulators, but this agreement with colleagues from the Netherlands is the first time we’ve signed a follow-up MoU with any country.
“This proposal will see us work much closer on tackling the illegal gambling market, on sharing vital regulatory information and shadowing one another as we progress towards protecting our consumers in an ever-expanding global industry.
“With thanks to Michel Groothuizen, Chair of the KSA, and his colleagues for their continued support in Europe, and mutually beneficial ongoing partnership.”
VNLOK welcomes new members
Beyond the KSA, movement is also taking place with operators, as LeoVegas and bet365 have become the newest members of Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders (VNLOK), the trade association for licensed Dutch online gambling providers.
LeoVegas and bet365 join the likes of Holland Casino, FPO Nederland, JOI Gaming, Nederlandse Loterij, ZEbetting & Gaming Nederland, Play North, Bingoal Nederland and One Casino, who are also members of the association.
“We are delighted to welcome two licensees who have a strong presence in the Dutch online gambling market,” noted Björn Fuchs, Chair of VNLOK.
“We look forward to combining our strengths and expertise with these providers. Together, we can make even greater strides in promoting a safe, regulated, and responsible Dutch online gambling market.”
Fuchs also provided an update on the merger between VNLOK and the Nederlandse Online Gambling Association (NOGA), which was announced earlier this year in June, stating that the finer details are still being sorted out.
The Chair said: “In the context of the previously announced merger of VNLOK with NOGA, we are still in discussions with potential members. We will announce this as soon as we have anything to report.”
