Online casinos Netherlands: guide Dutch gambling market

The most popular online casino games in the Netherlands are the lotto (67%), sports betting (23%), live sports betting (14%), scratch cards (13%) and slots (12%). Online sports betting was the most popular form of online gambling, with 4% of the Dutch population aged 16 and older participating in the past year. Another notable trend is that young adults are more likely to engage in sports betting, which represents a significantly larger share of their total gambling activity compared to other age groups. Young adults (aged 18–23) remain a key focus group within Dutch gambling regulation, as they are considered more vulnerable and therefore receive additional legal protection.

From October 2, 2021 online casinos have been allowed to offer their gambling products to Dutch players. The Dutch online gambling market accepts both domestic and international operators. Check out the full list of the 10 most popular casino games in the Netherlands on Casino.nl. Special Note on Online Scratch CardsAlthough online scratch cards are prohibited in the Netherlands, an equivalent type of game, known as “click & reveal” games, exists within the legal market. Recent data by Ipsos I&O shows that 65% of the Dutch population aged 16 and older participated in at least one gambling activity within the 12 months.

The Dutch gambling regulator was funded through gaming levies and the prevention of illegal gambling among Dutch players has been one of the main responsibilities ever since it was launched. While the online segment remains significant, recent data suggests that growth has slowed due to stricter regulations and player protection measures. Gambling is legal in the Netherlands under the Betting and Gambling Act 1964 which is a law that was made in the 60’s to regulate gambling. After the Dutch gambling authority Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) granted the first licences on the 29th of September 2021, the first regulated online casinos opened their virtual doors in the Netherlands on the 2nd of October 2021. Holland Casino offers a lot of bonuses and launched an outstanding website and BetCity has turned out to be a popular website among players as well. There are a few online casinos that have made a very solid impression so far.

Market share online casino’s in the Netherlands

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• Since October 4, 2021, players can register with the Central Register for the Exclusion of Games of Chance (Cruks) to self-exclude from gambling for a minimum of six months at all legal providers, both online and land-based.

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• Since the legalisation of online gambling in the Netherlands in October 2021, gambling ads have faced ongoing pressure.
• The Dutch online gambling market accepts both domestic and international operators.
• The Dutch government set a target of 80% channelisation within three years, aiming to ensure that the majority of players participate in the regulated market.
• Channelisation refers to the percentage of players who gamble with licensed operators instead of illegal websites.

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• Young adults (aged 18–23) remain a key focus group within Dutch gambling regulation, as they are considered more vulnerable and therefore receive additional legal protection.

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• The latter has become one of the main tasks of the KSA after online casinos started gaining popularity.

This is partly explained by lower average income levels, but also reflects the impact of stricter player protection measures targeting this age group. Data from 2025 shows that young adults generated approximately €66 million in gross gaming result (GGR) in the first half of Koko Casino Nederland that year, accounting for around 11% of the total online market. As a result, channelisation in the Netherlands is increasingly viewed as a multi-dimensional concept, where both player numbers and financial flows (BSR) must be taken into account to accurately assess the effectiveness of regulation.

October 2024: Mandatory Play Limits

The ban on role models applies to all ads for high risk games of chance including land-based casinos, sports betting, and online gambling. As of January 1, 2026, new policy rules for remote gambling licences have come into force in the Netherlands, further tightening the regulatory framework. Although the Netherlands was among the last countries in the European Union (EU) to legalise online gambling, the coalition agreement of Cabinet Rutte II had already indicated that the country’s gambling policy was in need of reform. The latter has become one of the main tasks of the KSA after online casinos started gaining popularity.

Top online casino and betting sites Netherlands

Dutch players were now allowed to legally sign up at Dutch casinos with an official KSA-licence. On September 29, 2021 it was announced that 10 licences had been granted. The official decision confirming the Act’s implementation was eventually published in the government gazette, clarifying that April 1, 2021, would be the date when the Dutch online gambling market would be regulated.