The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) is intensifying its oversight of how licensed operators manage their duty-of-care responsibilities, placing a specific focus on young customers under the age of 24.
The KSA’s “Supervision Agenda 2025” details its regulatory goals and priorities for Dutch gambling operators. The agenda builds on principles established in 2021 after the introduction of the Remote Gambling Act (KOA), which governs the Netherlands’ online gambling market. These principles focus on preventing gambling addiction, protecting consumers, and combating illegal gambling.
For 2025, the KSA will target new areas for closer scrutiny. In October 2024, new deposit limits were introduced: €700 for players aged 25 and above, and €300 for those under 24. Despite these restrictions, the KSA remains concerned about young people’s exposure to gambling.
The KSA plans to investigate underage gambling within licensed platforms and examine how operators entice young adults to gamble. It will also expand the information available to these vulnerable groups to ensure better protection.
The KSA will evaluate the advertising strategies of operators, focusing on the tactics used to target minors and young adults. It aims to understand how marketing campaigns influence gambling behaviours and motivations in these age groups. The regulator will also work to close loopholes, ensuring younger players comply with deposit limits and gamble safely.
The KSA has reaffirmed that duty of care is a non-negotiable requirement. Operators must comply with responsible gambling practices by conducting thorough due diligence on player accounts and monitoring risk profiles. The KSA believes this is the most effective way to intervene with problem gamblers and direct them to CRUKS, the Dutch self-exclusion scheme.
Illegal gambling remains a key enforcement priority. The KSA will intensify its crackdown on illegal websites and broaden its focus to include intermediaries like payment providers and affiliates that enable illegal operations. The authority is particularly concerned with affiliates and influencers, whose platforms often reach vulnerable groups.
“We are paying close attention to illegal advertising for gambling. Affiliates and influencers with significant reach in the Netherlands are under scrutiny, especially when their platforms target vulnerable audiences,” the KSA stated.
The regulator also emphasised its commitment to working with stakeholders to dismantle the business-to-business networks that facilitate illegal gambling. “We aim to hit illegal suppliers and their promoters where it hurts, including payment service providers and internet service providers,” the KSA declared.
Stricter advertising compliance will also be a major focus. The KSA will enforce bans on non-targeted advertising and prohibit athletes and influencers from promoting gambling services.
“Violations of advertising rules remain too common,” the KSA said. “In 2025, we will expand our supervision and provide additional guidelines to ensure compliance.”
The KSA’s message is clear: operators must comply with regulations, protect vulnerable groups, and eliminate practices that encourage harmful gambling behaviour. Those who fail to meet these standards can expect tough enforcement and penalties.
