Dutch regulator tightens focus on illegal gambling, player protection
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has published its Supervisory Agenda 2026, outlining a strengthened regulatory approach that places greater emphasis on tackling illegal gambling and reinforcing player protection across the Dutch gambling market.
The agenda sets out how the regulator will focus its supervisory, licensing, and enforcement activities during the year ahead. According to the KSA, developments in the gambling market are occurring at a rapid pace, with technological advances such as artificial intelligence and the continued growth of illegal gambling offers increasing the complexity of regulatory oversight.
Against this backdrop, the authority states that it must remain flexible and continuously alert in order to safeguard a safe and reliable gambling market, improve player protection, and take firm action against illegal operators.
New structure sharpens regulatory focus
From January 2026, KSA has reorganised its internal structure to better support its supervisory responsibilities. The authority now works through three directorates covering Player Protection and Board Advisory, Licensing and Supervision, and Digitalisation, Analysis and Operations.
As part of this structure, a dedicated Player Protection department has been set up, reflecting the increased focus on protecting players, including vulnerable groups. The KSA states that the priorities outlined in the Supervisory Agenda 2026 are aligned with the Ministry’s renewed vision, which places stronger emphasis on player protection and the prevention of gambling-related harm.
The Supervisory Agenda functions as a framework for determining which areas of supervision require heightened attention due to increased risk. For 2026, the KSA has identified five central themes that will guide its regulatory focus.
Illegal gambling remains a key priority
The first and most prominent theme for 2026 is the continued fight against illegal gambling offers. The KSA states that its focus on this issue remains undiminished and that it will pursue an integrated approach involving all parties that facilitate illegal gambling activity.
A key objective is to ensure that at least 90 percent of players continue to use legal gambling providers, while simultaneously reducing the amount of money earned by illegal operators from Dutch players.
To achieve this, additional supervisory capacity is being freed up to frustrate and disable the infrastructure used by illegal online gambling providers. The regulator plans to intensify cooperation with payment service providers, hosting companies, social media platforms, and both domestic and international supervisory authorities. The stated aim is to disrupt the illegal market and reduce its visibility to consumers.
In the land-based sector, the KSA will strengthen its intelligence position, including gaining greater insight into the movement of gambling machines following bankruptcies, in order to prevent them from entering the illegal circuit.
Protection of minors and young adults
The second priority theme centres on the protection of vulnerable groups, specifically minors and young adults aged 18 to 24. The KSA states that the number of individuals in these age groups who come into contact with gambling or actively participate in gambling must be reduced.
The regulator notes that minors visit both legal and illegal gambling websites, often by using accounts held by adults they know. At illegal operators, effective age verification is often completely absent. The KSA states that this situation is a cause for concern and requires firm action.
Research into the gambling behaviour of young adults at licensed operators is currently being carried out using data from the control database. The results of this research may lead to additional protective measures in 2026. Awareness campaigns will also continue, including expanded initiatives linked to the Cruks self-exclusion system. In early 2026, the KSA plans to launch a broader consumer platform, Open over Gokken, providing information on safe gambling and support for gambling addiction.
Closer scrutiny of the duty of care and advertising
The third and fourth themes focus on the supervision of the duty of care and gambling advertising. The KSA reiterates that anyone who chooses to gamble must be able to do so safely and be protected against addiction. As part of this, operators are expected to strengthen their duty of care to prevent risky or problematic gambling behaviour.
In 2026, the regulator will continue to closely monitor compliance with tightened rules on duty of care, playing limits, and the monitoring of player behaviour. Investigations into how operators assess players’ financial capacity will be continued, alongside scrutiny of how quickly operators intervene when risks are identified.
Advertising supervision will also be intensified. The KSA aims to further reduce breaches of advertising rules and to prevent gambling advertising from reaching vulnerable groups. The ban on the use of role models, including influencers and streamers, in online gambling advertising remains a supervisory priority, as does enforcement against advertising by illegal parties.
Enhanced oversight of AML compliance
The fifth theme concerns supervision of compliance with the Wwft, the Netherlands’ Anti Money Laundering and Anti Terrorist Financing Act. The KSA will continue data-driven and risk-based supervision of online operators and Holland Casino, covering areas such as risk assessments, customer due diligence, transaction reporting, and record keeping.
The Dutch regulatory body will have more power to oversee things starting in 2026, when new AML rules go into force. The authority will provide updated guidelines to operators while monitoring European-level developments, particularly the activities of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority.
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