The Nationale Postcode Loterij (NPL), the postcode lottery of the Netherlands, was issued a warning by the Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) for violating the country’s advertising rules. From 30 June 2022, gambling operators were banned from using celebrities and sporting personalities popular among the youth in promoting their services.
KSA Broke KOA Advertising Rules
KSA issued the warning to NPL after its recent advertising campaign promoting a “Deal or No Deal” themed lottery game featured a popular celebrity. While lottery operators, which fall under the soft gambling category, can use celebrity endorsements, they are still required to investigate the reach of the person among underage audiences. The NPL failed in this aspect, as the KSA established that the celebrity used in the campaign has a “substantial reach among young people”.
The KSA did not fine the NPL for the said breach as the campaign had been pre-scheduled before the ban on celebrity endorsements was implemented. The NPL accepted the decision without objection.
Addiction Prevention Decree to be Published In6 Autumn
More advertising restrictions are on the way for Dutch gambling operators, some of which are contained in the “Addiction Prevention Decree” due to be released this autumn by Legal Protections Minister Franc Weerwind. Upcoming regulatory changes are aimed at minimizing gambling addiction and improving advertising standards.
