meta_id 3291119

On February 2025, the Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit/KSA) updated its good and bad practices guidance for conducting affordability assessments (draagkrachttoets). The update follows follow-up compliance testing of how online gambling operators verify that players' gambling behaviour aligns with their financial capacity. Since October 2024, online operators have been required to conduct affordability assessments when players wish to deposit more than €300 net (for players aged 18 to 24 years) or €700 (for players aged 24 and above). The assessment aims to prevent players from spending more on gambling than they can reasonably afford. The KSA first published good and bad practices guidance in February 2025. Subsequently, it conducted follow-up testing with 20 licensed operators, reviewing concrete affordability assessments. The KSA found that many operators improved their affordability assessment procedures following the initial guidance. However, the testing also identified areas for improvement and violations. The KSA applied ten improvement meetings, three warnings, and one binding instruction across various operators. The updated guidance clarifies key requirements based on findings from the compliance testing. Notably, liquid assets such as savings must not form part of the affordability assessment. Assessments must be based solely on the player's structural income. This clarification addresses practical confusion among operators regarding the previous guidance. The KSA emphasised that correct application of affordability assessments remains a priority, as it helps prevent vulnerable players from gambling beyond their means. The authority will continue monitoring operator compliance and conduct further sampling tests among licensed operators based on the updated guidance. The updated good and bad practices guidance is available for download on the KSA website.