Regulatory Shift Curbs High-Risk Behavior
New rules rolled out by the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) in October 2024 appear to be having a real impact. A recent report from the regulator shows a sharp drop in high-loss gambling accounts following the introduction of mandatory deposit limits and tighter oversight. Before the changes, 4% of users lost over €1,000 per month—now just 1.2% fall into that category.
That shift has also upended revenue models. In early 2024, three-quarters of operator income came from big spenders. By year’s end, that figure dropped to just 23%, a move the KSA sees as progress toward safer gambling practices.
Overall, the Dutch online gambling market generated €1.47 billion in gross gaming result (GSR) in 2024—a 6% increase year-over-year. But the second half of the year saw a 10% decline compared to the first, hinting that new restrictions may be reining in excessive play.
Young Adults in Focus Amid Ongoing Concerns
The KSA continues to flag young adults as a vulnerable group. Those aged 18 to 23 made up only 9% of the adult population but accounted for 11% of total gambling losses in the latter half of 2024. Although they spend less than older players on average (€48 vs. €148 per month), they’re more inclined to bet on sports, allocating nearly a third of their budget to it.
Meanwhile, the national self-exclusion registry, Cruks, saw registrations climb to 87,345 by January 2025. Half of these users are under 32, with young adults making up 16%—further underlining the need for targeted intervention.
Illegal Market Persists Despite Strong Channeling
The KSA estimates that 91% of players use licensed platforms, but only 50% of all gambling spend stays within the regulated market. That leaves a sizable chunk flowing to illegal operators—an area that continues to pose serious risks for player protection.
Roughly 1.19 million gambling accounts were active per month in late 2024, up slightly from earlier in the year. But with the number of unique players holding steady at around 788,000, it’s clear that many users maintain multiple accounts across platforms.
Techno Offshore Fined €1.2M for Unlicensed Operations
In a high-profile enforcement move, the KSA slapped Techno Offshore Limited with a €1.2 million fine for targeting Dutch players through illegal sites like Nolimitbet.com and Simplecasino.com. The company, based in the British Virgin Islands and licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada, was found to be openly accepting Dutch players—offering autoplay features, accepting crypto payments, and skipping age checks.
KSA Chairman Michel Groothuizen didn’t mince words: “Illegal providers fail to protect consumers. We will take stern action because they steer players toward unsafe environments.”
Despite previous warnings, Techno Offshore’s platforms remained accessible from Dutch IPs, and registration forms even auto-filled the Netherlands’ country code when users selected it as their residence.
Curaçao Pushes Forward with Gambling Reform
While the Netherlands tackles domestic enforcement, efforts to clean up offshore regulation are also advancing. Curaçao has begun overhauling its gambling laws, ending its outdated master license model in favor of a stricter licensing system under the newly formed Curaçao Gaming Authority.
With support from the Dutch-led Temporary Work Organization (TWO), reforms aim to introduce anti-money laundering checks and build a more transparent, internationally credible gambling framework across Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten.
Dutch advisors say deeper collaboration with Caribbean regulators will be key to strengthening cross-border enforcement and protecting players from harmful operators operating beyond EU reach.
Conclusion
The Netherlands is tightening its grip on the online gambling market, and the early results are promising. While new rules are reshaping player behavior and pushing operators toward safer practices, the fight against illegal gambling—both at home and offshore—is far from over.
A Strategic Collaboration to Enhance Gaming Offerings
Pragmatic Play, a prominent game supplier headquartered in Gibraltar, has announced a significant expansion of its slots portfolio across the regulated markets of Belgium and the Netherlands through a new partnership with Bingoal. This collaboration not only introduces a variety of popular slot and dice games to Bingoal platforms but also solidifies Pragmatic Play’s presence in these key European markets.
Engaging Slot Titles Hit the Market
Under the agreement, Bingoal customers now have access to an array of engaging slot games including fan favorites like Gates of Olympus 1000, Sugar Rush 1000, and the much-loved Big Bass franchise. These games, known for their vibrant themes and dynamic mechanics, are tailored to meet the regulatory standards and player preferences in both countries.
Revival of Dice Games
Apart from slots, the partnership heralds the return of dice games, a format that holds a cherished spot in the Belgian gaming culture. Pragmatic Play’s commitment to providing localized content shines through as they cater to the specific tastes and gaming habits of the Belgian audience.
Official Statements Enhance Enthusiasm
Irina Cornides, COO of Pragmatic Play, expressed her excitement about the expansion, stating, “We are delighted to extend our content offering to Bingoal in Belgium and the Netherlands, where our slots and dice games are already very popular.”
Echoing her sentiments, Quentin Impens, a marketer at Bingoal, conveyed his enthusiasm for the launch on both Bingoal.nl and Bingoalcasino.be. “As one of the industry’s leading providers, Pragmatic Play is renowned for its top-tier slot games in the Netherlands and its strong expertise in developing dice slots for the Belgian market. We are confident that our players will embrace these games, and we have prepared exciting promotions to celebrate their arrival.”
A Bright Future for Online Gaming
This partnership not only broadens Bingoal’s igaming content portfolio but also marks a significant content expansion in both Belgium and the Netherlands. The agreement facilitates access to a slew of Pragmatic Play’s acclaimed slot titles and introduces dice games which are especially popular in Belgium.
As Pragmatic Play continues to focus on expanding in regulated European markets, its strategic partnerships like the one with Bingoal reinforce its position as a supplier of choice for operators. For Bingoal, the deal enhances its product offerings and positions it to better cater to diverse player preferences across its active markets. This strategic move is poised to create a ripple effect of growth and innovation across the regional online gaming industry.
Strategic Rollout Planned for Q1 2025
Realistic Games is strengthening its position in the Netherlands’ iGaming sector through a new partnership with established operator Bingoal. The collaboration will introduce Realistic’s slot portfolio to Dutch players through a measured rollout, with five titles being integrated weekly over a one-month period.
Initial Game Selection
The first wave of games includes several of Realistic’s notable titles: Book of Charms, Hit the Top, Diamonds Stick ’em Up, Catch 22: Frozen Fortune, and Top Tenner. This careful selection represents the developer’s diverse gaming portfolio, which will complement Bingoal’s existing casino offerings.
Market Context
The partnership holds particular significance given Bingoal’s established presence in the Benelux region. As a family-owned Belgian company with over three decades of experience, Bingoal operates both a network of betting outlets and land-based locations alongside its online gaming platforms in the Netherlands.
Recent Expansion Track Record
In August 2024, Realistic Games partnered with NRG Bet to bring its portfolio to UK players, including titles such as Maxiplier and Fortune Fortress. The company further expanded its Dutch presence through an agreement with Circus.nl Sport & Casino. Earlier in 2024, they also launched titles including Book of Midas and Chicken or the Egg with UK operator Slots Temple.
Industry Perspectives
Dany Salmon, Online Casino Product Manager at Bingoal, emphasized the strategic value of the partnership: “Its diverse range of titles perfectly complements our existing offering and reinforces our commitment to providing a top-tier gaming experience. This collaboration further strengthens our position in the Dutch market.”
The integration of Realistic Games’ titles on the Bingoal platform is expected to be completed within a month, representing another step in the company’s games roadmap into 2025.
FBC BV Faces €840,000 Penalty in Gambling Crackdown
The Netherlands Gaming Authority (KSA) has imposed a significant penalty on Curaçao-based operator FBC BV for offering unlicensed games of chance on its platform, FreeBitco.in. This decision highlights the Dutch regulator’s firm stance on protecting players and maintaining the integrity of its gambling market.
Investigations Expose Illegal Operations
The KSA’s investigations, conducted between January 2023 and November 2024, uncovered that FreeBitco.in allowed Dutch players to create accounts, deposit funds, and gamble on its platform without the required permits. Despite FBC BV’s claims of compliance, including blocking Dutch IP addresses, the KSA found no evidence of effective measures to prevent local participation.
A KSA inspector successfully registered, deposited bitcoin, and placed a bet, further confirming the platform’s accessibility to Dutch users. In response to these findings, the KSA issued a penalty payment order of €280,000 per week for continued violations, capped at €840,000.
FBC BV’s Defence Falls Short
FBC BV argued that FreeBitco.in primarily serves as a giveaway platform, but the KSA countered this by demonstrating ongoing gambling activities accessible to Dutch residents. Despite requests for extensions and claims of technical difficulties, the company failed to implement effective compliance measures.
The penalties remain in force despite FBC BV’s legal objections. Moreover, the company’s troubles extend beyond the Netherlands, with Australian regulators also issuing warnings over its unlicensed operations targeting Australian players.
KSA’s Commitment to Player Protection
The penalty against FBC BV is part of a broader campaign by the KSA to curtail unauthorised gambling operations. In recent months, the regulator has imposed similar penalties on operators such as Techno Offshore, Novatech Solutions, and BlockDance.
Michel Groothuizen, chair of the KSA, emphasised the authority’s determination to tackle the black market, stating, “We will send out warning letters more often and deliver short, quick blows, such as with an order subject to a penalty.”
Promoting Responsible Gambling
In parallel with its enforcement efforts, the KSA has launched a campaign encouraging responsible gambling. The initiative, titled “Pick up your life again, take a gambling stop,” promotes the Cruks self-exclusion register and aims to support individuals struggling with gambling-related challenges.
With its dual approach of punitive measures and player support, the KSA is sending a clear message: the Dutch gambling market prioritises transparency, compliance, and player protection.
The Netherlands Gambling Authority, known as de Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has recently issued formal warnings to three gambling operators for breaching new sponsorship regulations that came into force on 1 July. Under these regulations, gambling sponsorship in television programs and events is banned, with an exception for sports sponsorship, which will only be allowed until 1 July 2025. However, even within sports, companies must ensure that vulnerable groups, such as minors and young adults, are not targeted by their sponsorship activities.
Incident Reports: Sponsorship Violations
The KSA highlighted three recent incidents where gambling companies fell short of compliance:
- Expired Event Sponsorship
After a sponsorship deal expired, a national event organiser continued displaying the gambling operator’s logo beyond the 1 July deadline. The operator swiftly responded to the KSA’s warning and removed all branded materials from the event. - Exposure to Minors at a Sporting Event
In another case, a major sporting event sponsored by a gambling company inadvertently exposed its branding to children and young adults participating in pre-event activities. The KSA reminded operators to take responsibility for ensuring their advertisements do not reach vulnerable groups. - Gambling-Branded Merchandise for Children
In the third incident, an online sports shop was found selling gambling-branded T-shirts, including sizes for children, as part of a sponsorship deal with a popular athlete. Upon receiving the KSA’s notification, the operator removed its logo from children’s sizes to prevent exposure to young audiences.
Ensuring Compliance with Third-Party Partnerships
The KSA emphasized that gambling companies must actively manage third-party sponsorship activities and maintain strict oversight to ensure regulatory compliance. The authority warned that further violations could lead to more severe penalties, urging companies to establish clear guidelines with their partners about the display and distribution of sponsorship materials.
Enforcement on Illegal Gambling: NetX and Winbet Fined
In a separate enforcement action, the KSA imposed significant penalties on two companies, NetX Betting Limited and Winbet, for operating illegal gambling services accessible to Dutch residents.
NetX: Repeat Offender
NetX Betting Limited was fined €675,000 for allowing illegal online gambling on two websites, pferdewetten.de and betbird.com, without any measures to block Dutch users. This is a repeated offense for NetX, highlighting the KSA’s commitment to cracking down on illegal providers.
Winbet Faces Weekly Penalties
Similarly, Winbet faced fines of €280,000 per week, with a maximum penalty cap of €840,000, after a KSA investigation revealed illegal gambling activities on four websites. Despite regulations, Dutch users could freely create accounts, deposit funds, and gamble on these platforms.
Global Gambling Industry Fines in 2024
With recent fines, global penalties for gambling regulation violations have topped $103.1 million in 2024. Australia currently leads in enforcement, contributing nearly $55 million in fines to the global total.
