Dutch Regulator Declares War on Illegal Gambling

Visualize a gambling market free of unregulated operators.

Now, the Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) reveals its toughest crackdown yet on illegal gambling in 2025.

Picture stronger sanctions, one-on-one norm-setting talks, and a vow to protect the legal market from shady influences.

Stay informed as the KSA sharpens its focus on affiliates, ISPs, and payment providers to secure safer play.

KSA Targets Unregulated Gambling in 2025: Dutch Regulator’s Bold Enforcement Agenda

3 Key Points

1. KSA will conduct dozens of investigations into unregulated providers and social media promotions.
2. The regulator aims to keep 90%+ of player revenue in the legal gambling environment.
3. A new focus on minors, social responsibility, and advertising shapes enforcement priorities in 2025.

The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has declared war on unregulated gambling in its 2025 enforcement plan. With an agenda published on 9 January, the regulator made it clear that the new year marks a time of tougher oversight, heavier sanctions, and fresh vigilance.

KSA officials plan to conduct dozens of investigations targeting illegal providers, social media promos, and third parties like affiliates, ISPs, and payment operators. Their ambition is part of a broader strategy to keep 90% of gambling revenue safely within the legal market. Although the KSA reported a 95% channelisation rate as of October 2024, it warns that new social responsibility regulations and tax increases may jeopardize those gains.

So, the KSA is launching a robust approach. If a party breaks the rules, the regulator says it will apply “appropriate and strong administrative (remedial) sanctions.” It will also collaborate more with other stakeholders, focusing on shutting off avenues that facilitate illegal gaming. In the KSA’s own words, they aim to “hit illegal providers where it hurts.”

Part of this strategy also includes shaping operator behavior. The regulator emphasizes a refined system of one-on-one norm-setting conversations with businesses. In addition, the KSA plans on allocating more resources to handle repeated or egregious offenders. It says a “targeted strategy” will address underperformers, ensuring they either improve or face stiffer consequences. That approach underlines the regulator’s push for consistent compliance rather than a patchwork of partial adherence.

But unregulated gambling is only one angle of the KSA’s 2025 plan. The supervisory agenda also addresses minors in the gambling market. With concerns rising about youth exposure, the regulator intends to investigate how underage players participate in various forms of betting. They will also continue intensifying social responsibility rules, extending momentum from 2024. Land-based venues, in particular, will see more scrutiny in 2025. This might involve surprise inspections, new guidelines, or strict advertising limits.

Speaking of advertising, the KSA remains displeased with the “far too many violations” observed in 2024. Many operators haven’t fully adapted to tightened rules, and the regulator sees that as a direct challenge. Hence, they plan to expand enforcement on advertising in 2025, compelling operators to toe the line or face penalties. This entails careful review of how promotional content targets consumers, especially younger demographics or vulnerable communities.

Meanwhile, the KSA also highlights growing concerns that, if left unchecked, could reverse the gains made in channelisation. The combination of heavier taxes and extensive social responsibility requirements might tempt players to venture into black-market sites. For the KSA, addressing this means doubling down on oversight and ensuring legal operators remain competitive, transparent, and easy to identify.

All these measures align with the KSA’s broader vision of maintaining a safe, appealing, and legal gambling environment. By fostering direct communication with operators, sealing off illegal avenues, and backing compliance with real action, the Dutch regulator hopes to keep the market fair. This, they believe, encourages the vast majority of players to choose licensed sites instead of shady alternatives. Time will tell how effectively these new steps reinforce the KSA’s aims, but the plan’s thoroughness suggests a determined push.

The KSA’s 2025 enforcement plan signals a pivotal moment for Dutch gambling. Bolstered by a commitment to thorough investigations and collaboration with various partners, the regulator aims to preserve high rates of legal gambling revenue and ensure social responsibility. By tightening its grip on unregulated operators, intensifying oversight of advertising, and addressing minors in gambling, the KSA underscores its mission to protect the Dutch market. This comprehensive approach stands poised to shape the future of gaming in the Netherlands—and leave illegal operators with fewer places to hide.