Dutch MPs Back New Measures Against Illegal Online Gambling

The Dutch House of Representatives has backed a package of measures aimed at strengthening enforcement against illegal online gambling, including penalties for digital platforms, a central list of unlicensed operators and coordinated action against their infrastructure.

The motions were approved on September 29, 2026. They direct the government to develop or implement the measures, meaning several elements are not yet active enforcement powers. In particular, the proposed penalties for online platforms would require changes to the Gambling Act. 

Platforms Could Face Fines Over Repeated Illegal Gambling Ads

One approved motion calls for online platforms to become directly liable when they repeatedly display illegal gambling advertisements after receiving a removal request from the Kansspelautoriteit.

Under the proposal, repeated non-compliance would itself become an offence. The KSA could then impose an administrative fine or an order subject to periodic penalty payments.

The motion states that the regulator currently sends thousands of removal requests to Meta each month without achieving a structural solution to the problem. 

The measure would shift part of the enforcement burden from individual illegal advertisers toward the platforms carrying their promotions.

Netherlands Plans Central List of Illegal Operators

MPs also approved a proposal for a central list of illegal online gambling operators.

The government has been asked to develop the list together with the KSA and ensure that payment providers, search engines, social media companies, hosting providers and other relevant businesses can use it when taking action against unlicensed gambling services. 

The proposal is intended to give different parts of the digital ecosystem a common reference point instead of requiring each company to identify illegal operators independently.

The motion also asks the government to improve information for consumers so they can more easily distinguish between licensed and illegal gambling companies.

KSA, Police and Prosecutors to Target Digital Infrastructure

A separate approved motion calls for a pilot project involving the KSA, police and the Public Prosecution Service.

The programme is intended to disrupt the infrastructure used by illegal online gambling businesses, including payment flows, online platforms, hosting companies and other service providers.

It also asks authorities to improve identification of the people and organisations behind illegal gambling networks and pursue criminal enforcement where applicable. 

The approach broadens enforcement beyond blocking individual gambling websites. Authorities would instead target services that allow illegal operators to accept payments, remain online and reach Dutch customers.

Minimum Gambling Age Could Rise to 21

The House also backed a motion supporting an increase in the minimum age for the highest-risk gambling products from 18 to 21.

The change is conditional rather than immediate.

The government must first establish measurable targets for reducing illegal gambling and limiting the risk that younger players migrate to unlicensed operators. The age increase should proceed once those conditions are met. 

No implementation date has therefore been set.

MPs Reject Total Gambling Advertising Ban

At the same September 29 vote, MPs rejected a separate proposal for a complete ban on gambling advertising across both online and offline products. 

The result leaves the Netherlands pursuing a more targeted approach to illegal advertising while other changes to gambling marketing rules remain under consideration.

The newly approved measures now move to the government for implementation and, where necessary, legislative changes. Their practical impact will depend on how the platform liability rules, central operator list and infrastructure pilot are designed.