KSA launches tender for national problem gambling helpline

Dutch gambling regulator the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has launched a tender process seeking to appoint a provider to operate a new national problem gambling helpline.

Announced in February, the service will provide treatment, advice and support to players and their relatives, via a website, chat service, email and over the phone.

The KSA has been tasked with operating the service under the Netherlands' Remote Gaming Act, but will outsource its development.

A new problem gambling funding body, which will also be established under the Act, will bankroll the service, with support from a levy to be paid by licensees.

The tender states that the service would need to be operational from 1 April, ahead of when consumers would be legally allowed to gamble online in the Netherlands.

The projected go-live date for the regulated Dutch market is 1 July 2021, six months after the original 1 January start date. This may be subject to further delays, with the KSA refusing to rule out a later start date following the disruption casued by novel coronavirus (Covid-19)

Interested parties would need to submit their bid by 1 September this year, though providers are able to request further information until 16 July.

The KSA said it received a total of seven responses from providers interested in helping to develop the new service during an initial consultation on the tender conducted in February. Parties have until 13 March to submit their comments.