In early September, the Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) published new rules that will take effect on January 1, 2026. This revision of the licensing framework is intended to bring more stability and better protect consumers. The timing is crucial, as in October 2026 the five-year licenses that have been in effect since 2021 will expire.
The regulator emphasizes that the main principle remains unchanged: a safe and reliable market where players have certainty about their rights, even if a provider decides to withdraw.
Mandatory Exit Plans and Stricter Assessments
One of the most notable aspects of the new rules is the requirement for operators to prepare an exit plan. Anyone applying for or renewing a license must clearly outline how they will exit the market once the license ends or is revoked. Such a plan covers legal and financial obligations as well as organizational and technical processes. A crucial element is the handling of customer funds: the KSA wants assurance that players will always receive their money back, regardless of circumstances.
In addition, the reliability assessment is also being tightened. Operators who have previously ignored rulings from Dutch courts are more likely to be deemed unsuitable. At the same time, the regulator places greater emphasis on compliance with anti-money laundering rules and the duty of care.
For players, this has direct consequences: license holders must be more accountable, and the likelihood of sudden issues with payouts is reduced. Well-known platforms such as Unibet demonstrate through their practices that compliance and accessibility can indeed go hand in hand, building trust with users.
Five-Year Licenses: Evaluation Moment for the Sector
The five-year term of the licenses was a deliberate choice. When the market opened in 2021, lawmakers wanted the KSA to be able to periodically reassess whether operators still meet the high standards. This creates a learning system where operators must demonstrate improvements with each renewal application.
Past mistakes cannot be concealed. Operators must explain what lessons they have learned and what measures have been taken to prevent recurrence. If this explanation is insufficiently convincing, the license may be denied or renewed only under stricter conditions. This keeps the market dynamic but also forces operators to continuously improve.
Political Instability Casts a Shadow
The tightening of rules coincides with a period of political instability. At the end of August, a group of ministers and state secretaries resigned, including Teun Struycken, who was responsible for gambling policy. His departure created uncertainty about the progress of planned reforms.
Shortly thereafter, the government appointed Arno Rutte, former VVD Member of Parliament, as the new State Secretary for Legal Protection. This temporarily restored order to the dossier, although broader political unrest continues to weigh heavily.
Earlier this year, the coalition had already broken down after Geert Wilders withdrew from the partnership. Early elections have now been scheduled for October 29, adding further uncertainty about the future direction of gambling legislation.
Market Conditions and Future Outlook
The Dutch gambling market is currently under double pressure: stricter regulation on one hand and political changes on the other. For operators, this is a challenging phase; they must invest in compliance and new procedures, while tax pressure has already increased, further squeezing margins.
For players, however, the tightening may have positive aspects. More clarity about reliability, mandatory exit plans, and stricter controls increase the certainty that their rights are protected. At the same time, it remains important that the market is attractive enough to keep players with legal providers, thereby limiting the shift to unlicensed alternatives.
The coming months will be decisive. If the new State Secretary implements the reforms despite political turbulence, the market can prepare in time for the 2026 renewal round. However, if the election results lead to a change in direction, further delays or even policy adjustments may occur.
Final Thought
The combination of new licensing rules and political instability shows how sensitive the gambling market is to factors outside the sector itself. For the KSA, consumer protection and market continuity are central. Providers, in turn, must proactively adapt and demonstrate that they operate sustainably.
What is clear in any case: the playing field in the Netherlands remains in motion. Even though the coming years will bring uncertainties, the course remains focused on a regulated market that provides players with safety and forces operators to achieve ever higher standards.
