Holland Casino pursues an active policy to reduce the potential risks of gaming. The ‘Problem Gambling Prevention Policy’ has been devised by Holland Casino itself, further to the express requirements of the Dutch government as part of the official remit. The policy and its resultant programme are subject to constant updating and development. Firstly, all visitors are required to provide identification and to register at the reception desk. Further elements include information leaflets for guests, special training to enable front-of-house staff to recognize the warning signs of problem gambling, monitoring of the frequency of guests’ visits, proactive ‘cautionary interviews’ with guests, and the strict enforcement of visit restrictions and admission bans. Guests seeking to re-enter the casino after such a ban are also invited for an informal interview.
The most recent developments include extra attention for younger visitors, and a working partnership with the Human Assistance Network for Daily Support (HANDS), an independent organization which provides a telephone helpline for those concerned about any form of addiction.
In 2004/2005, the Ministry of Justice commissioned the Addiction Research Centre to conduct a study which would determine the number of problem gamblers in the Netherlands. The results reveal a dramatic decrease over the past decade. According to the researchers, there were some 70,000 problem gamblers in the mid-1990s, but the number has now fallen to approximately 40,000. The researchers conclude that this indicates the success of the measures taken to reduce and prevent problem gambling. Such measures include the removal of fruit machines from snack bars and sports canteens, but it is also likely that the preventative measures taken by Holland Casino and gaming machine operators have made a substantial contribution.