Dutch national lottery signs code with the football association

The national lottery of the Netherlands has signed a code of conduct with the country’s main football association to ensure that football and sports betting have a fair and ethical relationship.

According to an October 16 media release, The Nationale Loterij signed the responsible gaming code with the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).

The agreement declares that consumers, football fans, policymakers and civil society must be able to trust that football and sports betting are conducted fairly and transparently.

It lays down three principles. One, football players and fans must be able to rely on the game’s sporting nature. Two, lotto players must be able to bet on the game securely and responsibly. Three, there must be no conflict of interest in the organisation of matches and sports betting.

The code signing coincides with the launch of Nederlandse Loterij’s responsible gambling campaign titled: “Keep your peace, play consciously.”

The campaign is being run by the lottery’s sports betting brand, Toto, in collaboration with Nathan Rutjes – a Dutch amateur footballer and mental coach.

Nederlandse Loterij chief executive Niels Onkenhout said the popularity of football and the rising trend of sports betting makes it the perfect time to make such agreements for maintaining and developing those things that keep sports and sports betting fun, besides providing a safe environment for these activities.

He said that even if the market for online games of luck and chance opens in the country and the supply grows, much structural attention will be needed for responsible gaming in the Netherlands.

KNVB commercial director Jean Paul Decossaux said that by signing the code of conduct, they are also taking up their social responsibility on this theme.

He said the opening-up of the online lottery market offers new opportunities for the football world, but they need to keep a close eye on the risks involved.

“We believe it is important that the integrity of football is not compromised and that the sports experience is enhanced.”

Decossaux said they are very confident that together they can pay extra attention to the risks so that football fans could trust what they see on the field and lotto players could bet safely.