The Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) recently announced that it will implement new remote gambling licensing rules starting from January 1, 2026. This adjustment is aimed at preparing for the renewal of the first batch of five-year licenses, which were initially issued in September 2021 and will expire successively in October 2026.
Under the new rules, all applicants will face more stringent obligations. Operators must submit a detailed document explaining how they will promptly inform the regulatory authority when significant changes occur in business or policy. Additionally, they must provide a "exit plan" that clearly outlines how they will orderly terminate gambling operations if the renewal of the license is not granted.
For operators who already hold a license, the renewal process will be conducted separately. The regulatory authority will reassess their player protection mechanisms, advertising and marketing policies, and require new integration tests for the Control Database (CDB). Any violations or defects that occurred within the past five years must be accurately reported, along with corrective measures and proof of improvements. Failure to satisfy the regulatory authority may result in additional conditions or even denial of renewal.
Furthermore, applicants must comply with the Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act (WWFT) and submit a risk analysis report. The regulatory authority particularly emphasizes that if an operator has unfulfilled court judgments at the time of application, it will be deemed unreliable, thus directly affecting the licensing outcome.
It is noteworthy that some operators have recently been penalized for violations. For example, Unibet was fined up to 450,000 euros (approximately $524,000) for violating bonus advertising rules. Such cases will undoubtedly serve as important references in future audits.
As the new regulations approach, the industry's focus is on whether the stricter regulatory framework can effectively enhance market compliance while maintaining the competitiveness of the Dutch online gambling market.
