Background: Gambling Sector Reform

Purpose of this session

This session focuses on the public protection and prevention measures in the draft Kansspelenverordening and on the practical responsibilities that sit around those measures.

The proposed framework places greater emphasis on preventing gambling related harm, protecting minors and vulnerable people, improving early identification of problematic gambling and creating practical links between gambling operators, prevention services, social support and treatment or referral pathways.

The session will test whether the proposed legal duties are realistic, sufficiently clear and capable of being supported by Sint Maarten's existing public and social infrastructure.

Building on the 2025 stakeholder engagement

The 2025 stakeholder engagement identified concerns about problem gambling, limited local data, low awareness of self exclusion, the absence of specialized treatment capacity, staff training, ID checks, the visibility of gambling around schools and the need for stronger public awareness.

The current consultation broadens the public interest perspective and seeks input from government departments and professionals responsible for prevention, social support, youth, education and health related services.

What we would like to discuss

• • gambling addiction prevention and public awareness
• • protection of minors, young adults and other vulnerable groups
• • voluntary self-exclusion from casino gambling and the conditions that would need to be addressed before any future consideration of involuntary exclusion
• • early detection of gambling related harm and referral pathways
• • advertising and promotion, including exposure of minors and vulnerable persons
• • the role of schools, student support, community services and social assistance
• • the need for local data, monitoring and evidence
• • practical division of responsibilities between the Gambling Authority, operators and existing public services

Relevant parts of the draft Kansspelenverordening

Articles 7, 8, 13, 15, 16, 23, 27 and 28 of the consultation version of the draft Kansspelenverordening dated 23 October 2026, together with relevant duties under Article 50.

What we will explain and share

• • the proposed prevention and consumer protection duties for license holders
• • the proposed voluntary self-exclusion register for casino gambling, and why involuntary exclusion is not part of the current draft framework
• • the proposed duties to identify and respond to signs of problematic gambling
• • advertising restrictions and protection of minors and vulnerable persons
• • the areas where implementation depends on cooperation with existing public, social and health services

Key questions for consultation

1. 1. Do the proposed prevention, exclusion and player protection measures provide a workable basis for reducing gambling related harm in Sint Maarten?
2. 2. What roles should government departments, schools, social services, health and prevention services play in early identification, referral, treatment and public awareness?
3. 3. Are the proposed protections for minors, young adults and other vulnerable groups sufficiently clear and practical?
4. 4. What information, data and support structures are needed to make the proposed framework work in practice?

Who we would like to have at the table

We particularly welcome participants with direct responsibility or expertise in:

• • public health policy and prevention
• • community development and family support
• • social services and social assistance
• • labor and occupational wellbeing
• • public health, social development and labor inspection
• • education policy, youth affairs and student counseling
• • school system and school board perspectives
• • health insurance, case management and medical referral
• • statistics, population data and evidence

Expected outcome

Identify whether the public protection framework is workable in Sint Maarten, what implementation partnerships are required and which issues need further legislative, regulatory or program development.

How the input will be used

Feedback from the session will be assessed together with written responses received through the wider public consultation. Depending on the nature of the input, it may inform further refinement of the draft Kansspelenverordening, the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum, future secondary regulation, implementation arrangements or cooperation protocols. Participation does not imply that all views or recommendations will necessarily be incorporated into the final legislation.

Practical information

Date: Friday, 6 November 2026.

The session is part of the targeted stakeholder consultation. Organizations will be invited directly. Other interested stakeholders may participate in the wider public consultation and may register their interest in the stakeholder process through the consultation website.

Participation in a targeted session is not required in order to submit comments through the public consultation.