Dutch Online Gaming Launch Delayed Once Again

The Dutch Remote Gambling Act (KOA) has been delayed yet again, with Minister for Legal Protection Sander Dekker pushing the date the law comes into effect back to 1 April 2021, and the date the market opens back to 1 October.

Responding to a series of questions from legislators, Dekker announced that the latest delay was necessary as the Government had realised a slower implementation of the laws may create a stronger environment of regulation.

“Earlier I informed you that we are aiming for entry into force on 1 March 2021. Although the implementation is proceeding energetically, it has now become clear to all involved that careful implementation takes a little more time,” Dekker said.

“For this reason, we shall postpone the entry into force of the Koa Act by one month until 1 April, 2021, so that De Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) and the gambling sector have sufficient opportunity for complete preparation. The opening of the market will then take place on 1 October 2021,” Dekker added.

Initially, KOA was scheduled to enter into law on 1 July 2020, with the market to open six months later at the start of 2021. However, in November 2019, the act’s start date was pushed back six months, meaning the market would open on 1 July 2021.

In September 2020, the launch was pushed back again, with the date the act was set to come into effect moved to 1 March 2021, after preparations to launch had been disrupted by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The latest delay is the third, and means the law is now set to come into force nine months later than originally planned.