Dutch Gambling Council Withdraws from National Policy, Citing Systemic Flaws
The Council for Gambling Players (RvKS) has announced its withdrawal from active involvement in Dutch gambling policy. In an open letter, the board states that the current system is structurally failing to create meaningful change and to take lived experience seriously.
The organization, which has worked for years to strengthen the duty of care and integrate player experience into policy, says it has come to this decision after careful reflection. According to the RvKS, public health is being subordinated to vested interests, there is a lack of concrete and ethical policy regarding the duty of care, and there is insufficient space for dissent and innovation within the gambling sector.
A key point of criticism is that lived experience has hardly any policy impact in practice, despite its recognition in law. Instead of being a fully-fledged source of knowledge, lived experience often functions as a symbolic element to legitimize decisions that have already been made, according to the RvKS.
In summary, the RvKS indicates that it is confronted with the following “patterns that hinder real progress”:
- Policy-making is dominated by vested interests
Public health and player protection are often subordinated to commercial, political, or administrative continuity. - The term ‘duty of care’ has been hollowed out
Although the word is used frequently, there is a lack of concrete, verifiable, and ethically consistent policy that actually reduces risks and protects players. - Lived experience remains underutilized and not taken seriously enough
Despite the fact that this role is explicitly mentioned in the Gambling Act, we see no structural embedding that leads to substantive influence or policy impact. Instead of being an equal source of knowledge, lived experience is often used as an illustrative element or symbolic legitimization of policy that has already been established. - The gambling world is extremely small and homogeneous
We are seeing a worrying lack of diversity in vision, background, and independence within the sector. There are only a few dominant players, which means that dissent, reflection, and innovation have insufficient opportunities. - Transparency and moral honesty are lacking
Too often it is concealed why certain measures are not being taken. Real choices are avoided or formulated as technical infeasibility.
The decision to withdraw is motivated by both administrative and personal reasons, the board writes. The members indicate that moral boundaries have been reached and that continuing their role would amount to “a form of sham authority.”
The RvKS will continue to work as a group and as individuals for the interests of players with an increased risk of gambling problems. However, this will take place outside the formal consultation structures. The letter concludes with a call to the field to break through the reflex of preservation and to see the duty of care as a moral obligation rather than a matter of reputation.
Establishment of the RvKS
The Council for Gambling Players was founded on April 3, 2019, during a meeting in Utrecht. The establishment was a direct result of the coalition agreement, which emphasized the importance of lived experience in reducing gambling addiction.
The RvKS positioned itself as an independent advisory body that focused on the addiction prevention policy of gambling providers. It emphasized cooperation with stakeholders such as providers, addiction care, and the government.
The Ministry of Justice and Security supported the establishment of the RvKS by providing a grant through the Foundation National Information Center Gambling Players (Slicks). Slicks facilitated the development of the advisory body and guided the process until the official installation.
The RvKS was, among other things, heard during the evaluation of the Remote Gambling Act. It was a discussion partner for the Gambling Authority and responded to consultations that the Ministry of Justice and Security opened on various subjects.
The letter in which the announcement was made was signed by the board of RvKS. In addition to board members Marcel van Klei, Martijn Bogaardt, and Marcel Niezen, the council consists of Bas Brons, Johan Dokter, Johan Meijaard, Marcel van Koppenhagen, and Raymond de la Haye.
If you no longer have your gambling under control, you can register with the Central Exclusion Register for Games of Chance (Cruks). Once registered for this gambling stop, you can no longer play at land-based and online casinos. Cruks is a tool, not the ultimate solution. Read about responsible gaming and seek help if you cannot manage on your own.
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