The Dutch gaming regulator has announced a major crackdown on unlicensed online casinos

The Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) has issued a warning to consumers about the imminent blocking of unlicensed websites operating in the local market. The agency announced that access to illegal gambling platforms will soon be completely restricted.
The KSA is intensifying its efforts to combat shadow operators in order to protect licensed entities in the local gambling sector and to ensure consumer safety. On October 1, the authority implemented new regulations, declaring that illegal sites can no longer expect to attract Dutch customers. The measures to be taken by the agency include blocking domain names and financial transactions, as well as significantly increasing fines for violations of gambling laws.
The KSA has also reported the identification of 25 illegal websites that have been ordered to cease all operations in the Dutch market. Furthermore, any platform that has applied for a license but has not yet received one faces the risk of being shut down.
Can the Dutch gambling regulator effectively tackle the issue of illegal online casinos?
Since the official launch of the Dutch online gambling market, the regulator has granted only 11 gambling licenses to both foreign and local operators, while 18 others have yet to receive the permits they were hoping for.
Officials from the KSA noted that several leading brands failed to adhere to the "silence rule," which is mandatory for potential licensees. The regulator emphasizes that while awaiting approval, operators should refrain from self-promotion or any form of interaction with Dutch consumers.
Among those that have not received a license are Kindred Group, Betsson, Entain, and LeoVegas. Each of these operators is expected to make another attempt to enter the legal market by April 2022.
Changes in Dutch legislation have led the Gambling Authority to relocate to a new office in The Hague. The regulatory body has doubled its staff, expanding its divisions responsible for overseeing gambling activities in the Netherlands.
It is worth noting that the Dutch Parliament has introduced a new mechanism to combat illegal gambling operations.