The new coalition government in the Netherlands has announced a policy agreement that takes a tough regulatory stance on the gambling industry, planning to completely ban online gambling advertisements and explore restrictions on the number of online gambling licenses. The new government equates online gambling with sex work, noting that both are prone to fostering crime and human trafficking, aiming to protect vulnerable groups in the industry from speculators. This policy continues the direction of gambling regulatory reform in the Netherlands, but it has raised concerns about the expansion of the black market in the industry. Relevant Dutch gambling regulatory compliance cases can be referenced on the PASA official website.
Core Policy: Ban + License Limitation Enhances Regulatory Intensity
The new coalition government (composed of the centrist D66 party, the conservative Christian Democratic Party, and the right-wing Liberal Party) focuses on four main directions in gambling policy, with a clear stance:
Comprehensive Ban: Completely prohibits online gambling advertisements, following the strict restrictions already placed on television, radio, and print gambling advertisements in the Netherlands in 2023, with gambling sponsorships ending in the summer of 2025;
License Exploration: Studies the limitation of the number of licenses for online gambling platforms, coinciding with the 5th anniversary of the legal online gambling market in the Netherlands in 2026, where license holders need to renew to continue operations;
Operator Responsibility: Strengthens the duty of care of online gambling operators, requiring them to enhance consumer protection;
Crackdown on Illegal Activities: Increases efforts to crack down on illegal gambling websites, curbing the expansion of the black market.
Regulation and Politicians: Long-standing Tug-of-war, New Policy Progress Uncertain
The relationship between the Dutch gambling regulatory authority (KSA) and politicians has been tense for a long time, adding uncertainty to the implementation of new policies:
Current Relationship: KSA Chairman Michel Groothuizen revealed that regardless of which government is in power, cooperation between the regulatory authority and politicians is always challenging, with the industry being unpopular among most political parties, and KSA's pragmatic analysis and proposals often being questioned;
Historical Disagreements: Groothuizen has opposed politicians' proposals to raise the legal gambling age and completely ban advertisements, arguing that some proposals lack practicality;
Real Challenges: This new government is the first minority coalition government in the Netherlands in over a century, Groothuizen pointed out that it is difficult for the government to garner enough support to pass related measures;
Positive Signals: Politicians are willing to engage in open discussions with the regulatory authority, asking about the details of existing policies, which is seen as a favorable foundation for advancing reforms.
Industry Opposition: Advertising Ban May Help Expand the Black Market
The gambling industry association VNLOK explicitly opposes the comprehensive advertising ban, warning that the policy might backfire:
Core Concerns: VNLOK Chairman Bjorn Fuchs stated that the ban would undermine the "open, regulated" gambling policy framework in the Netherlands, which is already designed around strict duties of care, advertising standards, and regulatory oversight;
Data Support: KSA data shows that in the first half of 2025, the revenue from the illegal gambling market in the Netherlands exceeded that of the legal market, with the legal market's GGR being only 600 million euros, down 16% from 697 million euros six months earlier;
Reasons for Decline: The decline in legal market revenue is partly due to newly introduced player protection rules, including deposit limits.
Policy Background: Continued Reform, Clear Rules for License Renewal
This new policy is not the first time the Netherlands has targeted gambling advertisements and licenses, as related reforms have been ongoing for years:
Advertisement Restriction History: Starting in July 2023, traditional channels such as television, radio, and print gambling advertisements have been strictly limited, with online targeted advertisements prohibited for individuals under 24 years old, and all gambling sponsorships ending in the summer of 2025;
License Renewal Rules: When renewing licenses in 2026, KSA will not directly refuse renewal applications from non-compliant operators, but will require them to submit rectification experiences, explaining the remedial measures taken;
Renewal Difficulty: Local lawyer Justin Fransen stated that KSA strives to make the renewal process smooth, with well-compliant operators only needing to submit a compliance declaration to complete part of the module review.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders" gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original in-depth gambling channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
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PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
