Dutch Regulator Warns of Declining Channelisation
The Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) has released its 2024 annual report, showing moderate revenue growth across licensed operators but a worrying increase in unregulated gambling activity. The regulator calls for stronger enforcement and cross-border collaboration to protect consumers and preserve the integrity of the legal market.
Market Growth Overshadowed by Illegal Activity
According to the KSA, the regulated online market in 2024 generated approximately €1.47 billion in gross gaming revenue, a 6% increase compared to the previous year. However, the authority estimates that up to half of all gambling expenditure in the Netherlands now flows to unlicensed operators. The regulator attributes this shift partly to stricter advertising restrictions, the ban on untargeted marketing, and tighter affordability measures introduced in late 2024. These policies, while designed to enhance player protection, have also pushed high-spending players toward offshore websites that operate outside the legal framework.
The KSA emphasized that “channelisation”—the percentage of players using licensed operators—must remain high to ensure effective supervision and responsible gambling monitoring. Enforcement actions against illegal providers rose sharply, with dozens of investigations and takedowns carried out during the year. The report notes that collaboration with financial institutions and internet service providers is now central to blocking payment flows and access to illegal sites.
Responsible Gambling and Market Challenges
The regulator observed measurable progress in responsible gambling compliance among licensed operators. Data from 2024 show a reduction in the number of players exceeding €1,000 in monthly losses-from 4% to 1.2%-following the introduction of deposit limits and account activity alerts. The KSA praised operators that proactively intervened in cases of risky play and noted improvements in reporting procedures under the CRUKS self-exclusion system. However, it warned that “the balance between player protection and accessibility of legal gaming remains fragile.”
Young adults aged 18–23 remain a particular focus. Although their average losses are lower than those of older players, they represent a disproportionately high share of active accounts. The authority plans to continue targeted supervision of marketing practices and risk analysis tools aimed at this demographic. For 2025, the KSA has set priorities including the monitoring of AML compliance, further integration of affordability data, and the introduction of stricter accountability reporting.