The Netherlands’ playing watchdog is taking a measured however unmistakably cautious tone as a brand new minority authorities prepares to take workplace in The Hague.
In a blog revealed on Monday (February 16), Michel Groothuizen, who chairs the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), laid out how the Dutch regulator views the coalition settlement underneath Prime Minister Rob Jetten. He mentioned the doc sketches out the cupboard’s path on on-line playing and makes clear there’s overlap on key goals, whilst sure proposals elevate purple flags for the authority.
Arduous to think about the CEO of @gamregGB publicly cautioning that authorities playing coverage may backfire earlier than it’s imposed.
That’s exactly what the pinnacle of the Dutch regulator mentioned immediately about advert bans and licence caps.pic.twitter.com/UdcgXXvCZo
— Chris Fawcett (@chrisgambler247) February 16, 2026
The coalition, shaped after snap elections, devotes a part of its 70-page accord to what it calls “Nuchter beleid: medicine, gokken en sekswerk” (“Sober coverage: medicine, playing and intercourse work”). Inside that part, ministers promise stricter duty-of-care obligations for on-line operators and a harder method to unlawful playing websites. On these factors, Groothuizen signaled broad settlement, noting that defending susceptible gamers and driving out black-market suppliers sit on the coronary heart of the KSA’s mandate.
Dutch playing adverts and licensing: coverage factors with pitfalls
Pressure emerges, nevertheless, round two headline measures. This features a full ban on on-line playing promoting and a plan to restrict the variety of licences accessible to operators.
Requires an outright advertising ban have been gaining political traction for months. Christian Union chief Mirjam Bikker beforehand pushed for a sweeping prohibition, arguing that current restrictions haven’t gone far sufficient to protect younger individuals and susceptible customers. The coalition has now embraced that harder line.
Groothuizen acknowledged that public irritation with the business’s flashy picture is actual and that tv spots and sports activities sponsorships have already been closely curtailed. However he argued that the digital panorama tells a unique story. Based on the regulator, Dutch customers are uncovered every month to tens of hundreds of playing promotions on platforms reminiscent of Fb and Instagram, and the overwhelming majority originate from unlawful operators. In contrast, licensed corporations account for roughly 2,000 adverts a month.
“Which means the one consequence of the proposed promoting ban might be that gamers are pushed additional away from the regulated market,” Groothuizen wrote.
He voiced comparable doubts about capping the variety of on-line licences. Round 30 authorized suppliers at the moment function within the Netherlands. From a supervisory standpoint, he recommended, drawing an arbitrary line that enables supplier X and Y however excludes Z, regardless of comparable choices, could be tough to defend. He additionally questioned whether or not such a cap would meaningfully scale back both promoting volumes or total participation.
Past promoting and licences, the coalition can also be weighing fiscal modifications. Earlier reporting from ReadWrite has indicated the government may raise gambling tax to as high as 37.%, a transfer that might additional squeeze licensed operators and doubtlessly have an effect on channeling towards the authorized market.
Even so, Groothuizen struck a cooperative notice. “On the primary objectives — defending susceptible individuals and tackling unlawful playing — there isn’t a mild between the goals of the cupboard and people of our regulator,” Groothuizen wrote. He added that regulation and agency enforcement stay indispensable in retaining the market secure, and that the KSA stands able to work with the incoming cupboard because the coverage particulars take form.
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