Dutch Gambling Regulator Calls for Stronger Powers as Market Growth Slows
The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has renewed its call for expanded regulatory powers, citing a slowdown in market growth and growing risks in the land-based sector. The appeal comes as the government prepares to revise national gambling legislation by the end of 2025.
Online market growth slows significantly
In its latest market update, KSA reported a 4.9% increase in the legal online gambling market in 2024. This marks a steep decline from the 28.9% growth rate recorded in 2023.
While the market continues to grow, the pace has notably weakened. The regulator did not offer specific reasons for the slowdown but linked it to ongoing market maturity and potential shifts in player behavior.
Concern over illegal land-based activity
KSA also raised concerns about rising illegal activity in the land-based gambling sector. The number of available player seats in casinos and gaming halls fell in 2024.
Holland Casino, one of the country’s largest operators, closed its Zandvoort location in February due to financial pressure.
The regulator warned that tighter regulations must not drive players toward unlicensed providers. It emphasized the importance of balancing player protection with market sustainability.
Push for faster enforcement tools
KSA stated that it currently lacks the tools to act quickly against unlicensed online operators. While website blocking is legally permitted, the process remains slow and largely ineffective. The regulator called for legislative changes to enable rapid blocking of illegal gambling sites.
It also reiterated its request for permission to use false identities for mystery shopping activities.
“For effective oversight of both legal and illegal online gambling, we need the ability to participate anonymously in remote gambling,” KSA stated.
“This requires the use of false identity documents. Currently, only the Dutch National Office for Identity Data can legally issue such documents, and a legal amendment is necessary to allow this.”
Calls to expand exclusion measures
The Cruks self-exclusion system was another focus of the report. Under current rules, individuals can be added to the registry against their will to prevent gambling harm. However, the number of such involuntary registrations remains low.
KSA cited several barriers, including strict criteria, a high burden of proof, and a short six-month exclusion period. The regulator is now calling for a simplified procedure and a longer exclusion duration to make the tool more effective.
Advertising rules under review
KSA also proposed a fundamental shift in how gambling advertising is regulated. It wants to reverse the current model of “everything is allowed unless explicitly forbidden” to a more restrictive framework: “everything is forbidden unless explicitly allowed.”
This change, according to the regulator, would improve enforcement and close existing loopholes in the marketing of gambling products.
Legislative reform on the horizon
State Secretary for Legal Protection, Teun Struycken, confirmed earlier this year that a revised gambling law will be introduced before the end of 2025. KSA’s recommendations are expected to play a central role in shaping the new regulatory framework.