The rules are meant to make players think carefully about the money they use for gambling. Are you spending too much money on gambling? This can cause big money problems. For example, you may no longer be able to pay your rent or health insurance.
When you create an account on a gambling site, you have to fill in some information. The law calls this “the limits on gambling behaviour”. One of the things you have to fill in is the maximum amount of money you want to deposit per day, per week, or per month.
This rule is written in the Remote Gambling Decree (Besluit kansspelen op afstand). Since October 2024, there is an extra rule. The new rule is that you have to start with a small amount. For new players, there is a monthly deposit limit of a maximum of €350 for adults and a maximum of €150 for young people up to 24 years old. If you want to deposit more money, you can. You need to contact the gambling company first. This new rule is in the Remote Gambling Regulation (Regeling kansspelen op afstand).
Before October 1, 2024, the rules were different. It was possible to set a higher amount without checking if it might lead to money problems. If you can still deposit a high amount, it is wise to lower it to an amount you can afford to lose. This way you make sure you don’t get money problems.
You have set up your account. While you are gambling, you deposit money into your account. Do you deposit a lot of money in a short time? Then the Netherlands Gambling Authority says the gambling company should take action.
What is a lot of money? If you are older than 24 years, it means €700 or more per month. If you are younger than 24 years, this is €300 or more.
Note: this is about net deposits. This means the money you deposit minus the money you withdraw from your gambling account.
The gambling company has to block extra deposits until the end of the month. You can still keep gambling and withdraw the money in your account, but you cannot deposit extra money that month. When that month is over, most people get their income again. This way you can first pay your fixed costs. After that, if you want to, you can deposit money into your account again.
Do you still want to deposit more money? Then you can talk about this to the gambling company. The gambling company will ask you for information about your income. If they think it is safe for you, they may allow you to deposit more money again. This net deposit limit is described in the Responsible Gambling Policy Rule (Beleidsregel verantwoord spelen 2024) from the Kansspelautoriteit. This is not a law, but it explains what the gambling company has to do to protect you.
Are you depositing more money, but is this amount lower than the amount in your account? Then the gambling company does not have to give your money back if you ask for it. Not even if you get into money problems or regret it.
Tip: Think carefully about the limit in your account. Set an amount that you can really afford to lose.
Note: money you win from gambling does not count as income.
Think carefully about how much money you can really afford to lose on gambling. Set a limit in your account: an amount that matches your income and fixed costs. This reduces the chance of money problems.
