Dutch regulator begins test of CRUKS self-exclusion scheme

The Centraal Register Uitsluiting Kansspelen (CRUKS) self-exclusion system will come into effect with the country’s new Remote Gambling Act, but the Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) will start testing it this week. Here is how CRUKS works: 

First a  player has to enter through DigiD system, a form of online ID that allows Dutch residents to access online services and government websites in the Netherlands.

Then in order to register they have to enter their public service number (BSN), surname and birthdate. If they are foreigners they will have to enter their passport details. In case a player doesn’t have access via DigiD, then he or she has to be registered manually by employees of KSA. 

The moment a player registers with an online operator for the first time, or gets access to a land-based casino and enters their BSN, their CRUKS code will be generated. This code is then compared to the list of codes for self-excluded players and if it matches, the player must not be allowed to register or enter.

The operator then must save the player’s Cruks code but delete their BSN. When a player logs in or enters a land-based casino again, the Cruks code is checked again against the list.

Cruks will come into effect with the Netherlands’ Remote Gambling Act, which is currently set for 1 March, 2021. 

KSA has warned online gambling operators that they must be fully aware of their conditions in referring players to the CRUKS system. Ahead of the Dutch online gambling’s regulated market launch on 1 September 2021, licensed operators must ensure that they integrated directly with CRUKS and further tested its referral scheme as pre-conditions set by the new “Remote Gambling Act” (KOA Act).