KSA funds three safer gambling initiatives
The VPF is managed by KSA and was established in 2021 through the Remote Gaming Act. It is funded by an additional gambling levy on operators in the country.
KSA works in conjunction with the ministries of health, welfare and sport and justice and security to distribute the funds.
This is the second time KSA has addressed player safety this week. On 12 September, it released a report analysing the duty of care procedures of ten operators. The regulator concluded that players are at risk of “serious damage” from operators unable to monitor gambling activity in real time.
One of the three recently-funded projects comes from Jellinek, an addiction agency. Jellinek first developed its gambling addiction training programme when the Dutch market first opened. However, it has not been updated since then.
The programme was developed at the request of the ministry of justice. It also had input from doctors, mental health professionals and psychologists. With new funding from the VPF, Jellinek can raise awareness for the programme and update its e-learning elements.
KSA distributes further funding
Funding has also been distributed to Gelfit, a service that provides education on managing money. Gelfit will now develop a guide to addressing financial problems caused by addiction, which will also outline the risks associated with gambling.
Those who seek guidance from Gelfit will also be directed towards further help if necessary
The third bout of funding has been directed to the Bright at School programme, an addiction prevention initiative offered to schools. The programme was created by the Trimbos Institute and provides education on smoking, drinking and excessive gaming.
With the new funding, the Trimbos Institute will add education on gambling to Bright at School’s curriculum. This will include how to spot problem gambling behaviour in young people.
All three projects were created by KSA, the ministry of health, welfare and sport and the ministry of justice and security.