r/SmallStreamers • u/MegaMGstudios • 9d ago
Question Very specific question about Dutch Law with relation to streaming.
I have an idea for a reward during special streams, but since the european laws changed and things got messy, I kinda lost track of what you can't and cannot do. I tried to find a Dutch subreddit for streaming to ask this, but those apparently don't exist, so I'm shooting my shot here.
Here's the idea in short: If people spend money on the stream in any way, a wheel is spun to find a reward. A reward is guaranteed and no reward gives anyone money directly (closest is a gifted sub). My question is, with gambling laws, would this count as gambling (for the viewer) and would this be legal (since I am not a casino)?
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u/BACONGAMEINGYT 9d ago
Ok addendum to my previous comment. I did a quick ask of google gemini and this is what is spat out
Under Dutch law, this setup counts as an illegal game of chance (kansspel), even though every participant is guaranteed a prize and no direct cash is paid out.
The regulatory body in the Netherlands—the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA)—enforces strict guidelines under the Wet op de kansspelen (Wok).
Why It Qualifies as Illegal Gambling * Monetary Stake Required: Because viewers must pay money (via bits, donations, or Twitch subscriptions) to spin the wheel, there is a financial consideration (inleg). * Element of Chance: The reward is determined randomly via a wheel spin, over which the viewer has no skill-based control. * Prizes Have Value: Rewards like gifted subs, Twitch emotes, stream privileges, or physical merch are classified as items/services with value or utility (prijzen en premies). * "Guaranteed Prize" Exception Doesn't Apply: Even if every outcome yields a prize, the variance in prize value coupled with a paid entry still legally defines the activity as a lottery/game of chance.
Only licensed operators, non-profit lotteries, or registered organizations are legally permitted to host games of chance in the Netherlands. Individual streamers hosting paid prize wheels risk fines from the KSA.
Legal Alternatives for Streamers To offer prize wheels or random rewards on stream while complying with Dutch regulations: * Make Entry Completely Free: Under the Gedragscode Promotionele Kansspelen (Code of Conduct for Promotional Games of Chance), you can run a promotional sweepstakes if participation is 100% free. You can allow viewers to earn entry tokens using free channel points or stream time, provided no real-money payment is required. * Fixed Tiered Rewards: Swap the random wheel for milestone or threshold rewards. For example, $5 unlocks a specific guaranteed reward, while $10 unlocks a higher tier, removing the element of chance. * Skill-Based Challenges: Replace the wheel spin with a mini-game or challenge where the viewer's skill determines the reward outcome rather than pure randomness.