The Dutch Minister for Legal Protection, Sander Dekker, opposes prohibiting online gaming, despite worries about young people becoming hooked. He stated that Dutch authorities will concentrate on prevention and therapy.
In response to a query from Socialist Party MP Michael van Nipsen regarding the enforcement of gambling laws related to video games, Dekker emphasized the distinction between video games and games of chance.
He explained that gaming is a widely accepted form of recreation for young people, noting that players utilize games to socialize online and highlighting that these products can even aid minors in developing skills. However, Dekker recognized that these games, particularly free online games, may be designed in a manner that encourages continuous gameplay.
Moreover, he highlighted that the shifting revenue model implies that digital games are no longer directly bought but are provided for free, with gamers able to improve their gaming experience by acquiring in-game items. Microtransactions can gradually add up, signifying that users may end up spending far more than expected, and certain items that contain random elements (like loot boxes) can be bought with real money, which can be viewed as gambling and has been recognized as such in practice.
He acknowledged that some young individuals have developed issues, which could even be categorized as dependence.
Dekker stated that this is insufficient to warrant a complete prohibition on these games, noting that there is no universal solution to prevent gaming dependence.
He continued by stating that prohibiting all digital games for minors is unsuitable. Instead, the government is dedicated to prevention and education, as well as providing effective treatment and enforcing existing rules.
“Regarding (online) gaming, prevention and education are a shared responsibility of the national government and the gaming industry,” he clarified.
The Dutch government presently provides information to players and their parents through the Gamen Infolijn portal and the Helder op School program, which provides schools with education and awareness training on dependence.
Dekker indicated that he has directed the Research Center for Justice and Security (WODC) to examine the connection between gaming and gambling dependence and to pinpoint flaws in existing and forthcoming rules.
The official further expanded on the legal status of loot boxes, elaborating on his response to Van Nispen’s parliamentary inquiry in June. He clarified that loot boxes that can be traded for money or other items are considered gambling if players pay for the loot boxes.
Dekker highlighted that this type of loot box is entirely forbidden and will remain forbidden after the Remote Gambling Act takes effect. The official stressed that the nation’s gambling regulator, the Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA), has not encountered any obstacles in enforcing this rule, as they have already mandated the removal of four features from console games because they did not adhere to regulations.
For loot boxes that fall outside the KSA’s purview, the consumer regulator, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), is responsible for ensuring that they are not presented in a deceptive or unfair manner to players. Rules specify that loot boxes must be offered in local currency and players must not be compelled to purchase them to participate in the game.
Dekker concluded by stating his commitment to closely monitoring the gaming sector. He indicated that the findings of the WODC research on risk factors and addictive properties of gambling will be presented to Parliament upon its completion.
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