Gambling regulation in the Netherlands has always been quite strict and confusing. As casgokken.nl notes, the situation may look even more complicated after 2021, after the Netherlands has decided to revise its laws and open a new market for online casinos and betting. But in this article, we explain in plain language how the gambling market is regulated in the Netherlands.
Are online casinos legal in the Netherlands?
Is it legal to bet and have fun online? The answer is a resounding YES! Online gambling is completely legal in the Netherlands. But there are a few important rules.
Rule number one – any online casino operating in the Netherlands must have a Dutch license. This license gives official permission to offer its services to local players, even if the casino itself is not physically located in the country. If the casino is willing to operate legally, it should not be too difficult to obtain a Dutch license.
Of course, there are some basic rules and regulations that apply to most countries. For example, the online casino must convince the commission that it does not abuse problem players and that it is not allowed to register minors.
Is sports betting legal in the Netherlands?
Betting is often overlooked, perhaps because we tend to think of online casinos and sports betting as two different things. But, surprise surprise, they actually often go hand in hand! Many online casinos have a sportsbook section and vice versa.
With athletes like Verstappen successful around the world, it’s no surprise that sports betting is of interest to locals.
When it comes to betting, the laws are set by the Dutch Gaming Association (NGA) and it controls most betting in the Netherlands. If you placed a bet in the Netherlands, chances are you did so on a site licensed by the NGA.
And there’s more: The NGA even gives the green light to online sportsbooks that offer fantasy betting. If you’re scratching your head at the word “fantasy sports,” you’re not the only one! Dutch soccer fans can participate in fantasy leagues, draft their teams and cheer on their clubs.
An overview of gambling regulation in the Netherlands
Let’s talk about how gambling is regulated in the Netherlands.
For starters, gambling in the Netherlands has long been strictly regulated and often confusing for players due to its complicated rules. According to Article 1(1)(a) of the Games of Chance Act (the Act), games of chance are defined as an opportunity to compete for prizes or premiums in which the winners are determined by probability calculations that the participants cannot influence. The prize can be something of economic value – money or something else tangible. Interestingly, it is not necessary to place a bet to participate in such games.
As it stands, the law only defines games of chance for which a license can be obtained. More general categories such as betting or games of chance are not used.
On April 1, 2021, the law was amended to introduce a full regulatory regime for remote gambling in the Netherlands. On the same day, the Dutch Gaming Authority opened the possibility of issuing licenses. There is only one type of license, but it covers many games of chance, depending on the applications submitted. These include sports betting, gambling against other players or against casinos. Poker, casino games, slot machines, sports betting (fixed odds), stock betting, live betting and short-term bingo are covered by this law. However, online lotteries (including long-term bingo), spread betting and betting on non-sports events are prohibited.
Betting on virtual sports (where the outcome is determined by a random number generator and these are considered casino games), fantasy sports (considered sports betting) and cyber sports are also allowed, under certain conditions.
By the end of February 2024, 27 licenses had been issued, although some are not yet active.
Characteristics of gambling licenses in the Netherlands
The Dutch Gaming Authority has exclusive authority to issue gambling licenses in the country. Local municipalities also influence this business by issuing licenses and local permits to operate slot machines within their jurisdiction. They can impose a number of rules, such as restrictions on the number of establishments and hours of operation.
As for offshore gambling, any unlicensed gambling offered in the Netherlands is considered illegal. Whether such offerings come from within the country or abroad, and whether or not they are licensed in other countries, they fall outside the legal framework. Initially, the approach to operators targeting the Dutch market was lenient as the country prepared for the introduction of a remote gaming licensing system. However, attention has since shifted to a significant portion of the market (80 percent) targeting nationally regulated operators.
The criteria for taking enforcement action against unlicensed offers have changed. Factors such as the illegal offer’s targeting of Dutch consumers, the number of Dutch players involved, the potential damage to public goals and the risk of players being diverted away from the legal market are now taken into account. Recent sanctions by the NGA in 2023, including fines of €12.5 million, show that the law is actually working.