Gambling regulation in the Netherlands

Who regulates gambling in the Netherlands?

The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), the Netherlands Gambling Authority, regulates gambling in the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is an independent administrative body set up in 2012 and funded by the industry through gambling levies; the Ministry of Justice and Security is politically responsible for gambling policy.

Source: Kansspelautoriteit, The Netherlands Gambling Authority · checked 2 Oct 2026

Regulator's site: Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa)

Is online casino legal in the Netherlands?

Yes, with a licence from the Ksa under article 31a of the Betting and Gaming Act (Wet op de kansspelen). The licence covers casino games played against the licence holder and casino games players play against each other.

Source: Kansspelautoriteit, Online kansspel aanbieden · checked 2 Oct 2026

Is sports betting legal in the Netherlands?

Yes, online with the same Ksa licence, which covers bets on sports matches and on horse and harness racing.

Source: Kansspelautoriteit, Online kansspel aanbieden · checked 2 Oct 2026

What other gambling is legal in the Netherlands?

Lotteries and gaming machines Legal with a licence

The Ksa licenses multi-year and one-off lotteries and grants operating licences and model approvals for gaming machines; the permit to place machines in a venue comes from the municipality.

Source: Kansspelautoriteit, Voor zakelijke aanbieders · checked 2 Oct 2026

What gambling licences are there in the Netherlands?

Remote gambling (Koa) licence

Online gambling may be offered only with a licence under article 31a of the Betting and Gaming Act, known as the Koa licence, granted by the Ksa.

Source: Kansspelautoriteit, Voor zakelijke aanbieders · checked 2 Oct 2026

Lottery licences

A multi-year lottery licence runs for more than six months and at most five years. A one-off lottery can be licensed only if it serves a public interest, not an individual or commercial one.

Source: Kansspelautoriteit, Voor zakelijke aanbieders · checked 2 Oct 2026

Municipal permits

Municipalities issue the permits for gaming machines in venues, license lotteries with prizes below €4,500 and receive notifications of small games of chance such as bingo.

Source: Government of the Netherlands, Kansspelen - regels en toezicht · checked 2 Oct 2026

What is the gambling tax in the Netherlands?

Kansspelbelasting (gambling tax)

The gambling tax (kansspelbelasting) is 37.8% in the text of the Gambling Tax Act in force on 1 January 2026.

Source: Wet op de kansspelbelasting, text in force on 1 January 2026 · checked 2 Oct 2026

What are the key rules for operators in the Netherlands?

Advertising

Untargeted advertising for online gambling has been banned since 1 July 2023: no TV, radio, newspaper, magazine or billboard ads. Online and direct advertising is allowed on conditions, and at least 95% of the people an ad reaches must be 24 or older.

Source: Kansspelautoriteit, Verbod op ongerichte reclame per 1 juli · checked 2 Oct 2026

Deposit limits

Since 1 October 2024 new online players have a monthly deposit limit of at most €350, or €150 for young adults up to 24; a higher limit needs personal contact with the operator. Operators must check affordability when a player wants to deposit more than €700 a month (€300 for young adults).

Source: Government of the Netherlands, news release of 1 October 2024 · checked 2 Oct 2026

Self-exclusion

The Ksa runs the Cruks exclusion register. After registering, a player cannot gamble with Dutch-licensed operators for at least six months.

Source: Government of the Netherlands, Kansspelen - regels en toezicht · checked 2 Oct 2026

Anti-money laundering

The anti-money-laundering act (Wwft) applies to online and land-based operators, supervised by the Ksa since 1 January 2016. Operators must monitor customers' transactions and report unusual ones to FIU-Nederland.

Source: Kansspelautoriteit, Wwft en matchfixing · checked 2 Oct 2026