The Dutch gambling market is clearly in a transitional period. While the Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) introduces new policy rules that take effect from 2026, concerns are simultaneously raised about criminals using expired domain names for illegal online casinos. This combination of stricter requirements and increasing threats from the shadow market highlights the sector’s vulnerability but also shows that improved supervision gradually strengthens the market.
Hijacking Expired Domains
According to AD, criminal networks increasingly use expired .nl domains to redirect visitors to pages with illegal gambling advertisements. A notable example is the website of the Arjan van Dijk Group, once a well-known event organization in North Brabant. After its bankruptcy in 2020, the domain name fell into the hands of third parties and is now misused as a gateway to unlicensed gambling sites.
The KSA indicates that it cannot immediately take such fraudulent websites offline, as the legal powers to do so are lacking. However, the regulator works intensively with other authorities and providers to warn players about the risks. The difference with legal providers is substantial: platforms like StarCasino operate under supervision and give players assurance that their funds and personal data remain protected.
New License Requirements from 2026
In addition to tackling illegal practices, the KSA focuses explicitly on the future of the regulated market. From January 1, 2026, stricter rules will apply to all license applications, necessary because the current licenses issued in September 2021 expire on October 1, 2026.
The biggest change is the requirement to submit an exit plan. Every provider applying for or renewing a license must detail how the market will be exited in an orderly manner once the license ends.
Stricter Reliability Assessment
In addition to mandatory exit plans, the regulator will also conduct a stricter reliability assessment. Providers who have previously ignored court rulings in the Netherlands risk having their application rejected. The KSA wants to emphasize that only parties that demonstrably and consistently comply with the law will gain market access.
Furthermore, all applications must now include an up-to-date risk analysis. This examines whether operators have taken sufficient measures against money laundering and terrorism financing. This requirement aligns closely with the broader European focus on financial integrity within the gambling sector.
License Renewal: More Emphasis on Prevention
Existing providers seeking to renew their license will face a separate procedure. It not only checks compliance with basic rules but also re-evaluates aspects such as addiction prevention, recruitment policies, and the use of the Control Database (CDB).
According to the KSA, past mistakes weigh heavily. Operators must demonstrate which lessons they have learned and what improvements have been implemented. If this explanation is insufficient, the license can be denied or only renewed with additional restrictions.
Political Instability as a Risk Factor
The revision of rules occurs against a backdrop of political instability. In August 2025, a large number of ministers and state secretaries resigned, including Teun Struycken, who was responsible for gambling supervision. His departure temporarily created uncertainty about the progress of planned reforms.
Meanwhile, Arno Rutte, former VVD Member of Parliament, was appointed as the new State Secretary for Legal Protection. This temporarily restored order to the dossier, although broader instability continues to weigh heavily. The collapse of the coalition and the early elections on October 29 raise questions about the consistency of future policy.
Fight Against Illegal Offerings
The KSA emphasizes that it currently does not have the authority to take illegal sites offline independently. Until that changes, the regulator focuses mainly on cooperation with hosting companies and search engines, and on informing players about the risks of unlicensed platforms.
Meanwhile, the problem of illegal providers remains visible. The use of expired domain names demonstrates that criminals creatively exploit gaps in the market. Such practices draw players away from legal platforms and undermine trust in the entire sector.
Outlook: Safe and Stable Playing Field
For providers, a period of investment and adaptation begins. They must strengthen internal processes, communicate more clearly, and demonstrate that their policies meet the tightened standards. Those who do so convincingly can benefit from a market where reliability and quality are increasingly valued.
For players, the future lies in a more strictly regulated environment. The combination of stricter requirements, mandatory exit plans, and sharper reliability assessments increases the certainty that their rights are genuinely protected.
Final Thought
With the introduction of the tightened rules in 2026, the KSA takes a clear step toward a more stable and safer playing field. Stricter assessment of license holders and efforts to combat misuse of expired domain names show that the regulator wants to further strengthen market control.
For providers, this signals that only parties who take responsibility and deliver quality have a future in the Dutch gambling market. For players, it means they can increasingly rely on a safe and protected environment. Despite political uncertainty, the course remains clear: transparency and protection will form the core in the coming years.
