KSA publishes policy guidelines for the CRUKS exclusion scheme
The Dutch Gambling Authority, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has published its policy guidelines for the new exclusion scheme for the Netherlands. The guideline clarifies voluntary and involuntary registration to the CRUKS scheme.
How will the CRUKS system work?
The CRUKS system allows for players to be excluded from playing at online gambling establishments. A person will be able to register in the system on the following grounds:
- By direct player request (voluntary)
- At the request of a gambling operator (voluntary or involuntary)
- At the request of a family or close associate (involuntary)
What happens when exclusion is requested?
Player enrolments to the scheme will result in them being excluded from playing at casino sites. This is an immediate action, with players only needing to provide their Dutch digital “DigiD” identification or registering a form. The latter option is available for foreign nationals who also want to enact self-exclusion.
Operators can also request for a player to be registered with CRUKS. To do so they would have to submit an intervention file that details why they believe the player to be at risk. The player will be excluded while the KSA reviews the case – and the review can also be contested by the player in question.
A family member or close associate can also request an exclusion, detailing reasons why the player should be excluded. In such a case the player would not be excluded immediately- the KSA requires at least six weeks to review third-party cases. The player will receive the exclusion request and have the right to contest the exclusion.
All exclusions have a minimum of six months and a maximum of 99 years. The details of the player will also be kept on file by the KSA for future reference.
Increasing player protection in the EU
This scheme from the KSA is the latest that we have seen launching across Europe. In Germany, the OASIS system is a recent launch that allows players to self-exclude from play, similar to CRUKS.
The choice to allow Dutch players to be nominated for exclusion by a family or close associate is an interesting development to protect those at risk. Family members may spot problem gambling faster than the player themselves and allowing them to reach out and request an exclusion could help vulnerable players get the help they need faster. It will be fascinating to see how this extension to the self-exclusion scheme operates in practice and whether similar measures will be adopted in other EU countries with a strong focus on player protection.
Try our solutions
AgeChecked has launched a tool to help operators in the Netherlands. Our product will allow you to verify customer data to ensure that players are of age and will also help with player monitoring compliance to meet the restrictions and guidelines set out by the KSA. With the CRUKS scheme preparing to launch on the 1st of October, operators should use solutions like those offered by AgeChecked to ensure that they are always fully compliant.
