KSA Survey Reveals Age Verification Failings

The Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has warned the operators to ensure age verification measures are being properly enforced.

Publishing a survey which polled individuals aged 16-30, KSA analysed the differences in gambling behaviours between three distinct age groups: 16-17 year olds; 18-23 year olds and 24-30 year olds.

The survey revealed that 11% of 16-17 year olds had used scratch cards in the last 12 months, 8% had occasionally played on gambling machines, 7% had participated in lotteries and 5% had occasionally participated in sports betting.

Only 5% of 16-17 year olds had been refused when trying to play scratch cards, with that figure dropping to 1% when looking at slot machines.

When trying to purchase tickets for the country’s national lottery, Staatsloterij, 7% of those under 18 had been refused. Meanwhile, 6% had been refused when playing other lotteries.

The KSA said: “In cases where minors can still participate, the age control apparently fails. This can have various causes. In the case of scratch cards, it may be that a minor buys such a ticket with someone older than 18 years old.

“In the case of sports betting, it may be that the age is not (properly) verified when participating. And when playing on gaming machines, a possible explanation is that the catering entrepreneur or gaming owner does not adequately monitor the prevention of participation by minors.

“The conclusion that strict adherence to and application of the age limit of 18 years works is an important fact for the KSA when supervising providers.”