Dutch regulator steps up pressure on illegal gambling apps and online distribution channels
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Dutch authorities have expanded enforcement against illegal gambling applications in 2026, focusing on the operators and the online channels that distribute them. The Dutch Gambling Authority states that some of its players continue to use unlicensed platforms, regardless of the regulations. The authorities have increased their collaboration with the tech industry to expedite the removal of illegal content. The objective is to reduce the risk to consumers and improve their control over the regulated market.
The Dutch authorities have expanded their distribution networks to include illegal gambling applications and their digital distribution networks. They state that there is a need to protect consumers and that unlicensed gambling websites persist regardless of the regulation. Regulation has changed the legal market for the better, but there is still room for improvement.
Crackdown intensifies across digital platforms
The Dutch Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit, has begun enforcement against illegal gambling app developers. They have also begun enforcement against the illegal distributors. In 2025, the Illegal Gambling Apps Developers announced that they would be increasing the enforcement of illegal gambling apps developers. They also announced that they would be increasing the enforcement of the illegal distributors. They also announced that they would be increasing the enforcement of illegal gambling apps on illegal gambling websites and illegal gambling apps on illegal gambling websites.
The authorities state there is about 90% channelization in the Dutch market. That is about 90% of Dutch market players who are using licensed providers. Nonetheless, there is still a portion of the market that continues to interact with unlicensed providers, and the regulators have a particular focus on this segment because of the possible risks of unlicensed service provision.
The authorities have also shifted some of their focus to the payment processors, advertising intermediaries, and hosting services. This shows recognition of the fact that the illegal service providers have a web of intermediaries that they use to reach their customers. The regulators are trying to focus on unlicensed service providers by trying to eliminate the intermediaries.
These approaches are also similar to the European-wide trends in enforcement. The European Gaming and Betting Association data shows that European regulators have been increasing their focus on inter-border collaboration to combat illegal online gambling activities.
Focus shifts to distribution channels
There is an increased focus placed by the regulators on the illegal operators and the networks they use to market and distribute their services. The marketing strategies used include what have been termed as no deposit casino bonuses in Netherlands. This is described as a marketing strategy to entice customers to play by eliminating the need for an initial payment. This marketing tactic uses free spins as an incentive to lower the risk of acquiring customers.
The unlicensed operators are warned by the authorities that while such offerings may appear to comply with the regulations, the unlicensed operators may do the opposite and either disclose the terms and conditions or simply fail to comply with them.
Research shows the impact of these promotions. A report from the Netherlands Institute for Social Research (2025) highlights online advertising as a major pathway for users to access gambling websites. Young adults tend to get more digital ads, and online advertising is more common among young adults.
Regulators say that advertising restrictions are directly correlated to a decrease in the use of illegal services. There are currently attempts to monitor advertising affiliates and social media advertising as well.
Growing concerns over player protection
The most pressing issue in the enforcement efforts is consumer protection. The illegal gambling apps provide no consumer protections, and the Dutch gambling laws do not apply to these apps. Therefore, cheating, fraud, data protection, and safety protections, such as identity verification, deposit limits, and support tools, are not provided.
The Dutch Gambling Authority has reported an increase in complaints regarding payment issues and bonuses that are not clearly defined. This has prompted the interest of many policymakers, despite varying numbers in different time periods of the reported data.
Compliance and participation in the national self-exclusion register are among the many requirements licensed operators must meet. Illegal operators do not follow these rules, thus creating a safe environment for users.
Collaboration with tech companies expands
The Dutch authorities have begun working more closely with tech companies to restrict the dissemination of illegal gambling advertisements. Therefore, app stores and social media companies have begun to identify and remove illegal gambling advertisements and apps.
For example, the Dutch authorities have implemented a more comprehensive reporting structure that allows violations to be identified more quickly, resulting in the reviewed content of several platforms increasing, and gambling apps and ads being more strictly verified and approved.
European data confirms the effectiveness of these actions. The European Gaming and Betting Association claims that, as a result of coordinated actions in 2025, thousands of illegal gambling ads were removed from various digital platforms. This exemplifies the importance of the cooperation of the public and private sectors.
The illegal gambling operators have again changed their approach and continue to remain a nuisance. Shifts to other illegal gambling advertising methods and channels are recognized by regulators as requiring a more flexible approach to the enforcement of regulations.