Dutch Gambling Licence 2025 KSA Rules & Operators

The market vision on gambling resulted from the first evaluation of the Ksa in 2017. It was recommended at the time that the Ksa, which was established in 2012, develop a vision on the regulation of the various gambling markets. The market vision on gambling, which can be used by policymakers to make decisions, was presented to the Minister for Legal Protection, who is responsible for gambling policy. The regulated online market reached a gross gaming result of €1.39 billion in 2023, indicating substantial growth, representing a 28% increase compared to the previous year.

• Based on these results, the State Secretary responsible for gambling policy and legislation aims to submit policy proposals to Parliament for various amendments.
• Organizers must clearly communicate the composition and exact value of the prize package.
• The Gaming Authority has set up a separate section of its website for licence holders.
• The above-mentioned reliability assessment for remote gambling applicants does not apply to land-based slot-machine (exploitation) licence applications and charity lottery licence applications.
• Most permissions target B2C operators (there is no separate B2B license), and several land‑based verticals remain exclusive or semi‑permanent.
• The Lotto is a game in which participants predict a given number of symbols from a predefined range and, subsequently, a draw is made.

On the political level, in April 2024, more motions were passed, requesting, amongst other things, a ban on online advertising for remote games of chance, and a ban on games with a “very high risk” (referring to slots). That said, however, it remains to be seen whether the new cabinet – with the new State Secretary for Legal Protection responsible for the gambling dossier – will actually implement the motions. In July 2023, the updated Advertising Code for Online Games of Chance (“ROK”) was published. The ROK forms part of a self-regulatory system for advertising and applies to remote gambling licensees by virtue of their advertising in the Netherlands.

Kindred Group confirmed in its 2023 annual report that Unibet is https://ineoswillfall.com/ the market leader in the Netherlands. According to Unibet’s parent company, the online casino holds a 20% market share. Data from H2 Gambling Capital showed that Bet365 and BetCity are other major players in the country with 17% market share. Sweden’s regulated online gambling market is shrinking, according to figures released by the country’s gambling regulator.

Gambling has always been a popular pastime, but what does the Dutch government do to ensure fair play and protect its citizens? If you enjoy online gaming or are simply curious about the legal landscape, here’s what you need to know. For example, players have to determine a spending limit in a neutral environment, without any pre-filled options or advertising. Providers are also obliged to ask whether the player is willing to lose the set amount. Furthermore, all amounts must now be displayed in euros, rather than in the form of tokens or chips. Gambling providers are obliged to alert players whenever they can choose for a lower bet than the default amount shown.

Dutch gambling laws play a crucial role in overseeing the operation of online games within the country’s gaming market, ensuring compliance with established regulatory frameworks and standards. These laws govern various aspects of online gaming, including licensing requirements, player protection measures, and responsible gambling initiatives. By implementing stringentlaws, regulatory authorities such as the Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit/KSA) strive to create a safe and transparent environment for players engaging in online gaming activities. This regulatory oversight extends to the licensing and operation of online casinos, which must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure fair play and consumer protection.

Top online casino and betting sites Netherlands

This law sets out a number of strict requirements and guidelines that online casinos must meet in order to obtain and maintain a licence. The Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit or Ksa) is the regulator that ensures online casinos in the Netherlands comply with the laws and regulations. The Ksa grants licences to casinos that meet the strict criteria and supervises their activities. The authority also has the power to impose sanctions on providers that violate the rules, including fines and licence revocations. Prior to the implementation of the Remote Gambling Act, offering online gambling services in the Netherlands was prohibited, although many foreign providers served Dutch players. The Remote Gambling Act was introduced to provide a clear and regulated framework in which online casinos can legally operate, provided they meet the required standards.

Any player who already set a spending limit above €350 (or €150 for young adults) before 1 October will be notified by the gambling provider about this high limit, its risks and the help that is available. The obligatory contact with the gambling provider is intended to lift the player out of anonymity and bring them back down to earth so that they can think more carefully about their gambling behaviour. The Ksa and licensed online casinos have already put a lot of effort into creating a safe environment for Dutch players. There are many responsible gambling tips for Dutch players can follow to protect themselves while gaming online. Some include limiting the time and money spent on casino sites, while others focus on completely eliminating the risk through self-exclusion. All could be helpful, but which ones you implement depends on the health of your gambling habits.

For all readily available licences (except remote games of chance), the watershed period for gambling advertisements on television and radio is between 6am and 9pm. Advertising remote gambling on television and radio is prohibited given the ban on untargeted advertising (see below). The NGA issued a non-binding guidance document on the AML Act for remote gambling licence holders and land-based casinos (the “AML Guidelines”). The remote gambling licensing regime is aimed at players in the Netherlands.

A partial ban on gambling ads on TV, radio, and outdoor media was adopted in July 2023. The advertising ban on online gambling in the Netherlands came into effect on July 1, 2023, restricting untargeted advertising across various media, including television, radio, and public spaces. Starting July 1, 2024, sponsorships of television programmes and events were prohibited, marking the first stage of the phase-out. An exception was made for existing sponsorship deals signed before this date.

Player protection and responsible gambling

For each draw, we also provide a digital drawing report that can be reviewed by a notary, for example. The Ksa requires that participants receive clear information about prizes and odds of winning. Organizers must clearly communicate the composition and exact value of the prize package. Winning odds must also be explicitly stated so that participants know their chances of winning.

The offering of slot machines requires three separate documents, with different durations. Licences for these sectors are referred to as semi-permanent because they are valid for a period of five years and have been reallocated to incumbent licence holders in 2022. Social games that do not include prizes or premiums are not considered to be games of chance and thus fall outside the scope of the Betting and Gambling Act (BGA).

Where to find the full legal text and official guidance

The licence holder’s conduct over the past 5 years is therefore taken into account in the assessment for the renewal licence. Providers who have made mistakes in the past five years must explain in the application procedure how they have learned from previous mistakes and how they will prevent them from happening again. If the Ksa finds this explanation insufficient, the licence may be refused or additional conditions and restrictions may be imposed. The Dutch regulatory framework does not require any type of personal licence or authorisation. Acquisitions and Changes of Control, the regulatory framework contains a strict reliability assessment during licence application and following changes of control.

The land-based gambling market in the Netherlands consists of a mix of state-owned incumbents and private entities, and a multitude of licensing requirements. This section provides a general overview of licensable land-based games of chance. The individual licensing systems are explained further in 4.4 Types of Licences.

Additional requirements for addiction prevention

For involuntary registration, a concerned party (e.g., a partner, family member, legal guardian, or gambling operator) can request registration through the Ksa. To further ensure that the 95% criterion is met, operators are advised to make use of “closed groups” and mandatory logins, or “adequate” age filters. Furthermore, gambling establishments always require an ID, but underage people can still get access if they have a fake card. Therefore, don’t put too much trust in the security systems of physical casinos, and if you notice any of these signs, address them early on.

The second one is linked to the treatment of problem gambling, the involvement of support organisations and the measures Dutch players can take independently. However, you also need to be able to protect yourself at land-based casinos. Fortunately, Dutch casinos are required to develop a comprehensive responsible gambling plan to obtain their licence. As a result, legit gambling establishments provide deposit, betting and credit limits and plenty of information on the topic.

The risks of ignoring Ksa guidelines

But if you want something less extreme, setting spending limits is a good place to start. Gambling addiction can have serious consequences, from grave financial losses to depression, social alienation, etc. If left unchecked, problem gambling can be detrimental to society, which is why the Dutch government is set on detecting the symptoms of gambling addiction early and promoting responsible gaming practices. Tactus is another renowned Dutch organisation that focuses on addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery.

As organiser of promotional games of chance, you must comply with the conditions of the Code of Conduct for Promotional Games of Chance. If you organise a game of bingo for a private group, you do not have to report this. However, the licence provides access to one of Europe’s fastest-growing regulated markets. A licence holder must submit their application using the form in the section of the Gaming Authority website specifically designated for the application procedure for licence holders.