Is Online Gambling Legal in the Netherlands?
Online gambling is legal in the Netherlands, but only on platforms that hold a license from the national gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA). Operators applying for a Dutch license can legally provide various gambling activities to players in the country if they meet the requirements, which include:
- Mandatory identity verification
- Use of approved, traceable payment providers
- Limits on advertising bonuses and promotions
That said, many casinos with foreign licenses continue to target Dutch players by offering larger bonuses, more payment options, including crypto, and fewer restrictions. Although they may be accessible, they are not recognized under Dutch law and are considered unauthorized.
Platforms that don’t meet Dutch standards are actively blocked by the KSA, and operators are penalised for marketing to players in the Netherlands. Individual players are unlikely to face legal consequences for using these sites, but they are exposed to greater risks.
Gambling Regulators and Licensing in the Netherlands
Online gambling in the Netherlands has been legal since October 1, 2021, following the introduction of the Remote Gambling Act (Wet kansspelen op afstand). Since then, operators can apply for a license from the Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) to offer online games of chance to Dutch players. All current locally licensed providers are listed in the official license register maintained by the authority.
To qualify for and maintain a Dutch license, the requirements include:
- Integration with the Control Database (CDB): Every operator must connect to this real-time transaction monitoring system, which logs player activity and payment events.
- Verification Rules: Full player identity verification is required before withdrawals can take place.
- Advertising Restrictions: No celebrity endorsements, untargeted ads, or bonus schemes that encourage risky behavior. Promotions aimed at players aged 18–24 are not permitted.
- Prohibited Transaction Methods: The use of crypto or other anonymous payment tools is banned under KSA licensing rules.
- Duty of Care: Operators must monitor player behavior and intervene in cases of excessive gambling or withdrawal misuse.
The KSA is responsible for supervising all domestic gambling providers, investigating violations, and applying penalties where necessary. The authority also collaborates with national and international partners to stop the supply of unauthorized platforms quickly and effectively.
Permitted Forms of Gambling
Activity | Is It Legal? | Regulator |
Casino games (slots, roulette, blackjack) | Yes | KSA |
Poker | Yes | KSA |
Bingo | Yes | KSA |
Sports betting | Yes | KSA |
Horse race betting | Yes | KSA |
Lotteries | No (online), Yes (land-based) | KSA |
Social gaming (no real money) | Not regulated as gambling | Authority for Consumers & Markets |
Skill games (no element of chance) | Not regulated as gambling | Authority for Consumers & Markets |
Offline gambling is more limited than online. Holland Casino has held the role of the only legal provider of land-based casino games since 1975, and a single licence has been issued for sports betting, horse racing, scratch cards, and lotteries.
Offshore Gambling Sites
As previously stated, remote operators that accept Dutch players without proper authorization are subject to enforcement action, which includes fines and blocking measures. However, players themselves are not penalized. The KSA has never fined a player for gambling with an offshore operator.
Instead, the focus is on protecting consumers, preventing addiction, and improving the safety of legal gambling channels. The KSA supports this by offering anonymous submission forms for reporting unauthorized operators and providing information and access to counseling services for problematic gambling.