Dutch regulator warns consumers over ‘dipping’ lottery games

Dutch gambling regulator the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has issued a warning to consumers over participating in ‘dipping’ lottery games on Facebook, saying that such activities are not legal in the country.

According to the KSA, dipping is a lottery game where players can pay to enter to win cash and other prizes. Entrance fees are made via internet banking, with the operators that run the games based both in Netherlands and in other countries.

However, the KSA has now warned consumers that some of the games are being run as scam operations and, as all forms of these games are deemed illegal, it has launch an investigation into such activities.

The KSA also urged consumers to check the approved list of lottery operators on its website to ensure they are playing legal games.

“Despite an earlier warning, dipping seems to be gaining popularity; we also have the impression that the prices are becoming larger and more expensive, with the aim of enticing as many consumers as possible to play along,” KSA board member Bernadette van Buchem said.

“Whether those prizes will actually be raffled and awarded is the question. This is our reason to ring the bell again. These lotteries take place outside everyone's view and every check.”

The announcement comes after KSA chairman René Jansen also recently called for operators considering applying for licences for the country’s new legal online gambling market to be responsible with their activities, saying that the regulator will adopt a “strict but fair” oversight of the sector.

Jansen revealed that part of the KSA’s own approach to responsible gaming will include a ‘Central Exclusion Register’, which will operate under the name ‘Cruks’.

This register will become active from 1 January next year, allowing players to exclude themselves from gambling with licensed operators in the Netherlands. Operators must first refer to the list before allowing players to open an account on their platform.

The country’s regulated online gambling market is scheduled to open on 1 July 2021, with the KSA to open the licensing process on 1 January 2021.