In recent years, the battle for user experience has increasingly been the topic of conversation in the world of online casinos in the Netherlands. Stricter regulations have been making it increasingly more difficult to satisfy user needs in this industry, which begs the question: how far should regulations go in order to safeguard vulnerable users? In this article we will discuss this question by looking at the case of the Dutch online casino industry.
The case: Dutch online casino industry explained
In 2021 the Dutch government issued a new law, legalising online casinos in the country. With the new law, various new online casinos popped up, looking to rapidly gain market share. With the introduction of this legislation came also the Central Register for Exclusion of Gambling. The central register was created to combat gambling addictions, but this makes it necessary for online casinos to verify the identity of Dutch players before they can gain access to the online casino. In practice, this is a process that disrupts the user experience, which leads to many Dutch players seeking their casino experience elsewhere. Playing at international casinos is dubbed ‘gokken zonder Cruks’, and the international casinos are called ‘casinos zonder Cruks’. These are terms that will return in this article more often. The suffix ‘zonder Cruks’ means that these casinos are not affected by the hindrance of the recent legislation changes.
Consequently, many Dutch players feel that the mandatory Cruks verification infringes on their security and privacy. At first, having to go through a long verification process before someone can start playing is frustrating. There is also the possibility of errors occurring during this process, resulting in an unjustified refusal.
The Dutch government has good intentions with the central register, but it is important to find a healthy balance. Where responsible gambling and maintaining a positive user experience go hand in hand, online casinos must invest in a reliable verification system while complying with government regulations.
What is Cruks, and how does it affect the online casino market?
The central registry introduced by the Dutch government in 2021 is a registry designed to combat gambling addictions. The new legislation will require online casinos to check the occurence of players in this registry before granting them access. Therefore, online casinos must comply with strict rules and laws, focusing on reducing addiction and protecting players.
However, not all casinos wish to comply. In fact, many international casinos (known as buitenlandse casino’s)do not have to abide by the rules because they are not based in the Netherlands.These casinos are operating under the laws and regulations of the country in which they are located. In practice, this offers a lot more advantages besides the possibility of gokken zonder Cruks. So this ensures that these casinos can regularly focus more on providing a solid user experience where players are the core focus.
How Cruks influences the user experience of online casinos
The central registry greatly influences the user experience of players at online casinos by imposing various restrictions and limitations. One such barrier is that bonuses and promotions are a lot less extensive. Thus, due to the law, casinos have to follow strict rules, which can significantly reduce the attractiveness of these providers. Also, they are not allowed to partner up with every possible payment provider, making it more difficult for certain people to place deposits or have winnings cashed out.
In addition, a casino that must cooperate with the Cruks-registry cannot offer all types of bets. For example, so-called novelty bets are excluded. This may make players feel more likely to want to move to an online casino zonder Cruks where this is simply possible.
But this is not the only advantage of gokken zonder Cruks. A casino that does not cooperate with the central registry can offer more bonuses, payment methods and games. This makes Dutch players more inclined to visit a casino from abroad that offers a better user experience.
Safety versus user experience
The dilemma between security and user experience is something prominent in the world of gokken zonder Cruks. For players who are dealing with possible gaming addictions, safety is a top priority. Thus, this may lead to the need to protect this group and thus establish strict rules for that purpose. But on the other hand, casinos naturally also want to offer players an engaging user experience. This includes attractive bonuses, smooth payment processes and, of course, an extensive game selection. However, finding a healthy balance between these two aspects is sometimes quite challenging. But in the end, this is necessary to serve the interests of both problematic and casual gamblers. This requires effective regulation and technological innovations that minimise risk without compromising the user experience for those who play responsibly.
Can you just play along in a no Cruks casino
The new Dutch legislation is intended to curb gambling addictions, but in practice, it appears that many people see it as a hindrance. One of the reasons for this is that unsubscribing yourself from the registry is not possible. As a result, some players choose to play at an online no Cruks casino. This is not an ideal solution because it goes completely against the core concept of the registry.
But in practice, it turns out that playing at such a casino is easier than is often thought at first. After all, players are free to decide where to play. In addition, they are also allowed to gamble at casinos abroad simply because they have to comply with different rules and regulations.
Conclusion
The Dutch government introduced the Central Exclusion Register to combat gambling addictions and offer players more protection. However, due to the restrictions imposed by this registry, it is frequently the case that the user experience becomes subpar. Pros and cons of gokken zonder Cruks have been discussed: while they offer more freedom in bonuses and payment methods, they can also pose risks for people who have excluded themselves due to gambling problems. Ultimately, the choice is up to the user: they can choose which casino they prefer, with or without Cruks.
Featured image credit: Anna Shvets
