KSA Launches Regulator 2.0

The Dutch gambling authority, KSA, is unveiling a bold new “Regulator 2.0” initiative.

This shift aims to foster open cooperation with operators, end its rigid enforcement reputation, and tackle player harm more proactively.

By embracing flexibility, dialogue, and stronger safeguards, regulators and operators can build a responsible yet competitive market together.

Read on to learn how Regulator 2.0 reshapes licensing, compliance, ad controls, and consumer protection in the Netherlands.

Dutch KSA Unveils “Regulator 2.0” – Open Dialogue, Tougher Standards & Ad Ban Warning

3 Key Points

• Open, Flexible Supervision: The KSA will engage operators by name and hold regular roundtables to resolve issues collaboratively.
• Future Licensing Standards: Licence renewals in 2026 will evaluate past operator conduct. Non-compliance and advertising breaches may disqualify holders.
• Stricter Player Protection: KSA plans a stand-alone consumer protection unit and explores ad‑ban options. Harm reduction measures will intensify.

KSA’s “Regulator 2.0” – The Future of Dutch Gambling Oversight

The Dutch gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), is entering a new era. At the Gaming in Holland conference in Amsterdam, Renske Fikkers, head of KSA’s regulatory department, announced a transformative initiative known as “Regulator 2.0”.

Breaking Down Regulator 2.0

KSA acknowledges past perceptions of being a distant, fines-only enforcer. Now, it is committing to a partnership model, where the regulator actively collaborates with operators through:

• Name-specific alerts and communications to enhance accountability
• Roundtable discussions to clarify implementation issues and elevate solutions
• Rapid response interactions to address infractions before they escalate

Fikkers emphasised that this openness has already yielded results: swift error resolutions and stronger sector standards.

Licence Renewal: Past Matters

With licence renewals looming in 2026, the KSA has issued a clear message: past behaviour matters. Operators should not assume automatic renewal. Instead, each applicant’s:

• Record on operator conduct
• Breach of player safety and advertising rules
• Compliance with duty-of-care principles will be evaluated. Past infractions could lead to licence denial or stricter oversight.

Player Protection: Independent, Proactive Measures

Regulator 2.0 extends deeply into consumer safety. KSA is establishing an independent department dedicated to gambling harm reduction later in 2025. Initiatives include:

• Professionalisation of Loket Kansspel as a central player-support hub
• Awareness campaigns to boost use of the Cruks self-exclusion register
• Focused enforcement under the duty-of-care principle to stop under-21 players from losing large amounts unchecked

Advertising Under Threat

Despite collaboration, Fikkers delivered a stark warning: operators repeatedly failing ad rules may face a total advertising ban. The KSA views breaches as threats to player welfare, and the ad raft could escalate if compliance doesn’t improve.

Fighting the Black Market with Tech & Cooperation

Reiterating calls made alongside industry groups, KSA will fortify its enforcement against illegal operators. To combat the grey market, it will:

• Leverage tech and bank partnerships to block payment flows
• Blacklist illegal ads and sponsors on social platforms
• Increase joint actions with banks, Google and Meta to curb illegal gambling infrastructure

Operators are expected to join the partnership, reinforcing legal channelisation.

The Big Picture: Balancing Growth & Protection

Dr Struycken’s new policy labels gambling a high-risk product, and KSA is echoing that shift. The policy signals a pivot toward stricter public safety measures, including:

• Raising the minimum age to 21 for high-risk products
• Introducing deposit limits and extended affordability checks
• Tightening advertising and sponsorship rules

Operators must adapt swiftly or face stricter rules as the political environment shifts.

Industry Response & Next Steps

Operators have responded positively. They cited the regulator’s roundtable openness and early intervention strategies as valuable improvements.

For 2026 and beyond, companies are encouraged to:

• Adhere to strict player protection and advertising rules
• Proactively reduce exposure to underage and high-risk gamblers
• Engage with Regulator 2.0’s dialogue channels
• Collaborate with banks and tech platforms to fight the black market

The KSA’s Regulator 2.0 initiative marks a turning point in Dutch gambling supervision. By balancing cooperation with vigilance, and innovation with enforcement, the regulator aims to build a safer yet vibrant legal market.

Operators must embrace transparency, robust consumer safeguards, and responsible marketing to prove their place in the Dutch system. As the 2026 licence renewal approaches and public sentiment demands greater protection, the era of shared responsibility has truly arrived.

This is not just regulatory evolution—it’s a blueprint for creating a sustainable, responsible, and resilient iGaming ecosystem in the Netherlands and potentially beyond.

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