Online Gambling in the Netherlands
History
The road to regulated online gambling in the Netherlands has been a long and winding one. Initially, the Dutch government maintained a strict prohibition on online gambling, with the only legal forms of gambling being state-run lotteries and land-based casinos.
However, the increasing popularity of online gambling and the need to protect consumers led to legislative changes. There was also pressure from the European Commission for the Netherlands to fall in line with the EU’s freedom of services principle (Article 49) that frowns on member states protecting local monopoly operators.
In 2016, the Dutch Senate passed the Remote Gambling Act (Kansspel op afstand or KOA), but it took several years for the regulatory framework to be fully implemented. The Act finally came into effect on April 1 2021, and regulators gave the green light for online casinos to start accepting bets from 1st October 2021.
Dutch Roulette @ bet365, with live dealers chatting in Dutch.
Bet365 were among the first operators to secure a KSA license and have been expanding their range of Dutch dealer tables ever since.
Current Regulations
The Netherlands’ online gambling market is regulated by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch Gambling Authority. The Remote Gambling Act established a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure safe and fair gambling practices.
Key aspects of the current regulations include:
- Licensing: Operators wishing to offer online gambling services in the Netherlands must obtain a license from the KSA. The licensing process involves stringent checks on financial stability, integrity, and measures to protect players from gambling harm.
- Taxes: Remote gambling taxes were initially set at 30.5% of GGR (Gross Gambling Revenue), a figure considered to be prohibitive by many operators. This rate will be increased further to 34.2% on 1 January 2025, then 37.8% on 1 January 2026.
- Player Protection: The regulations mandate robust player protection measures, including self-exclusion options, deposit limits, and access to support for problem gambling. Operators are also required to monitor players’ behaviour and intervene if signs of problem gambling are detected.
- Advertising: Unlicensed operators are not permitted to advertise their service in the Netherlands. KSA ordering Stake F1 team to change branding for the Dutch Grand Prix is an example of active enforcement of this rule. Licensed operators are also required to adhere to rules designed to limit exposure to minors and vulnerable groups.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML): Operators must comply with AML regulations, conducting thorough customer due diligence (KYC checks) and reporting suspicious transactions to the authorities.
Major Operators
Since the opening of the regulated market in April 2021, state-owned operators have been joined by well known international brands. Major iGaming operators in the Dutch market now include:
- TOTO Online: Operated by the Dutch state-owned company Nederlandse Loterij, TOTO Online offers sports betting and casino games.
- Holland Casino Online: Another state-owned entity, Holland Casino, has expanded its land-based operations to include a comprehensive online platform offering casino games, poker, and sports betting.
- Bet365: A global leader in online gambling, Bet365 offers a wide range of betting and gaming options to Dutch players under a license from the KSA, including live dealers chatting in Dutch.
- Kindred Group (Unibet): Unibet, part of the Kindred Group, is a major player in the Dutch market, providing sports betting, casino games, and poker.
