Netherlands Gaming Authority

The regulatory body of the Netherlands, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), was established on April 1, 2012. The KSA is an independent administrative body that oversees and regulates gambling services in the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Kansspelautoriteit is funded by the industry through gambling levies. The regulator is governed by a Board of Directors.

The Minister for Legal Protection is responsible for gambling policy in the Netherlands.

Regulator licensed casinos

Kansspelautoriteit issues licenses for online gambling, lotteries, traditional betting, land-based casinos and pokie machines.

The Dutch Gambling Authority's website has a "Register of licensees" section that lists the companies that have been authorized to operate:

• Register online gambling
• Register lotteries
• Register traditional betting
• Register pokie machines and casinos

The most well-known online gambling companies licensed by the Netherlands Gambling Authority include: Bingoal Nederland B.V., LeoVegas Gaming p.l.c., iCasino B.V., Hillside (New Media Malta) PLC (bet365).

Netherlands Gaming Authority review

The Dutch Gambling Authority, or Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) was established on April 1, 2012.

The regulator's priorities are:

• protecting consumers
• fighting gambling addiction
• fighting illegal activities

The Dutch Gambling Authority operates as an autonomous and independent organization.

Kansspelautoriteit supports the Dutch Gambling Act (2021) under the leadership of the Minister for Legal Protection.

Focusing on enforcement and public welfare, the KSA plays a key role in shaping the landscape of the Dutch gambling market.

Gallery

License types of Netherlands Gaming Authority

The Dutch gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit, issues four types of licenses:

• Casino games in which users play against the licensee
• Casino games in which users play against each other
• Sports betting
• Horse and harness racing results betting

The license holder must have a registered office, centralized management or place of business in one of the EU Member States (EU) or the EEA (European Economic Area).

Decision on any of the above license applications will be made within 6 months. This period may be extended for a further 6 months.

Permits are issued for a maximum of five years and are not transferable to other holders.

Dispute resolution

The Netherlands Gambling Authority, KSA, notes that if a player encounters any problems with an operator, it can be reported to the regulator. The Authority accepts complaints about issues such as:

• Operator providing gambling services in the Netherlands without a license
• Failure to pay players proper winnings

The KSA accepts complaints regarding the participation of minors in any gambling activity on a licensed site.

If an operator is suspected of being involved in fraud, this can also be reported to the Authority.

To file a complaint with the KSA, there are two special sections of the official website. The first is called Report a Problem with a Game of Chance, and it has several subsections that users can navigate.

Report a problem anonymously and provide as much detail as possible.

Forms for adding information include the type of problem you are reporting, what the problem is, which game you are reporting, including any screenshots, and details about whether you are having problems because of the game.

The second section is Reporting Obligation for Permit Holders. In it, licensees must report any problems such as money laundering by players, changes to pokie machines and games, and so on.

Conclusion

The Dutch Gambling Authority strictly monitors the gambling market in the Netherlands. This means that all licensees have a level playing field.

As a result, fair competition and trust between gambling operators and their customers is at a high level.