Weerwind addressed concerns raised by Michael van Nispen of the Socialist Party and Mirjam Bikker from the Christian Union regarding the speed of payouts by gambling operators. He stated that while some withdrawal requests might be processed faster than others, it is the responsibility of the national regulator, de Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), to monitor operators and ensure timely payments. Weerwind mentioned that no incidents of operators holding on to players’ funds for an unnecessarily long period have been reported by the KSA so far.
Regarding the speed of payment, Weerwind explained that it depends on factors such as fraud and money laundering checks or verification of bonus conditions. Different gambling providers may have varying payment speeds, but they are supervised by the KSA to meet the requirement of paying out “without undue delay”. Weerwind emphasized that there is currently no reason for intervention.
Bikker and van Nispen also inquired about the option for players to cancel a withdrawal request and use the funds for further gambling. Weerwind responded that operators should consider such cancellation requests while fulfilling their duty of care to prevent gambling-related harm. Providers must remain vigilant for signs of problematic gaming behavior and intervene when necessary.
In relation to a proposal for a ban on reverse withdrawals, Weerwind acknowledged that players should have control over their funds and the ability to change their mind. However, he highlighted the importance of operators monitoring players’ behavior to prevent potential harm. Weerwind emphasized that part of taking control is the ability to cancel a payment order, but providers must ensure they fulfill their duty of care to mitigate the risk of excessive gambling.
