Willem van Oort: “If gambling were to become more normalized, players might naturally be drawn towards licensed operators”

(AsiaGameHub) –   Prior to the Gaming in Holland Conference this year, founder Willem van Oort examines the regulatory landscape of the Dutch market, rising worries regarding offshore rivals, and the necessity of enhanced collaboration between operators and regulators to regain market share.

Interview.- Before the forthcoming Gaming in Holland Conference, Willem van Oort offered his insights on the present condition of the Dutch regulated gambling sector, the difficulties arising from offshore entities, and the regulatory shifts anticipated to transform the industry in the coming months.

During the interview, van Oort details what participants can anticipate at this year’s gathering, such as talks from key operators, regulators, and industry analysts. He also addresses Gaming in Holland’s fresh “Reclaim the Market” campaign, the possible rollout of B2B licensing, and the need to make regulated gambling offerings more appealing to consumers to stifle the expansion of the black market.

What is on the agenda for this year’s conference?

Consistent with past years, the Gaming in Holland Conference will assemble the top decision-makers within the Dutch regulated gambling field. Licensed operators, officials from regulatory bodies, and crucial stakeholders from throughout the industry will all be present.

The roster of speakers for this year features the CEOs of Nederlandse Loterij and Holland Casino. Furthermore, FDJ, Unibet’s new proprietor, will send a senior executive to outline the firm’s view on the current Dutch market environment.

The Netherlands Gambling Authority will also deliver two distinct presentations: one addressing the regulator’s strategy for impending legislation, and the other concentrating on its fresh methods for player safety.

In addition to a packed conference schedule, participants will have ample chances to network and engage with industry figures – notably during the event’s customary boat excursion along Amsterdam’s famous canals.

Beyond these key points, which other sessions are you anticipating?

As in previous years, H2 Gambling Capital will present its updated growth forecasts for the Dutch market. This consistently provides a strong foundation for subsequent conversations.

I am also eager for the session by Blask, which will provide a detailed analysis of the types of games appealing to Dutch players, as well as the game categories emphasized by both licensed and unlicensed operators. Is there a true alignment between player demand and what operators offer? We will discover this at the Conference.

Crucially, the Dutch government is poised to shortly release a detailed set of proposals to modify the Remote Gambling Act – encompassing cross-operator deposit caps, a raised minimum age for high-risk chance games, and additional measures.

Currently, we anticipate this will occur prior to the start of this year’s conference. If so, we will receive direct clarification from the regulator regarding the precise nature of the rule changes.

Regarding these specific sessions, could you elaborate on the concept behind Gaming in Holland’s new “Reclaim the Market” mission?

As is typical in regulated markets dealing with tighter compliance rules, the Dutch regulated igaming sector has observed market share moving toward more assertive offshore operators. We aim to stop this trend – and preferably turn it around. This goal drives our “Reclaim the Market” initiative.

The positive aspect is that licensed operators together hold significant market leverage, allowing them to exert real pressure on suppliers, payment processors, marketing affiliates, and other service providers that still support the daily functions of offshore operators. The main hurdle is organizing these actions efficiently to ensure this impact yields concrete outcomes.

Engagement from regulators is also vital. Neither licensed operators nor regulators gain from the ongoing expansion of the offshore sector, creating a shared strong interest among all groups.

Looking to the future, what measures do you believe are essential to control the black market over the long term?

I believe B2B licensing will be unavoidable. It will require significant effort from regulators, but I am certain this is the sole method to establish a real distinction and a qualitative gap between licensed and unlicensed options. Players recognize that the domestic product isn’t clearly better, yet we still ask them to accept lower RTP rates because of the tax duties and heavier compliance loads on licensed operators. Although players typically favor the legal market, they will not stay there regardless of the cost. That is simply fundamental economics.

Nevertheless, I feel the biggest potential for transformation is in altering public perceptions of gambling. For instance, in the Netherlands, gambling is still largely seen as a bit taboo or socially dubious. In my opinion, this stigma can facilitate players moving toward illegal providers.

However, consider if gambling were regarded as a completely valid and open type of entertainment. Should it become more normalized and publicly embraced, players might naturally shift toward licensed operators as the clear and responsible option.

That, in my view, is where substantial advancements can still be achieved.