At the Gaming in Holland Conference 2025, Arjan Blok, CEO of Nederlandse Loterij, delivered a compelling keynote on the significant issue of illegal gambling in the Netherlands. Blok highlighted the alarming growth of illegal gambling sites, revealing that half of the money wagered by Dutch players is now flowing to unregulated platforms. This statistic, based on calculations endorsed by the Gaming Authority and independent experts, sheds light on the scale of the problem—an issue that, Blok argues, requires immediate and collaborative action across the entire gambling ecosystem.

The role of banks and tech companies in tackling illegal gambling:

Blok shared his concerns about how the regulated market, despite its efforts, is struggling to maintain its position against illegal operators. As reported by Nederlandse Loterij, less than four years after the regulated online gambling market opened, the channelling rate—the percentage of gambling directed to legal sites—has dropped from 80% to 50%. In real terms, this means that €1.3 billion in gambling revenue is now going to illegal sites, with no tax revenue for the state and, more critically, no player protection.

Blok called on banks and tech giants like Google and Meta to step up their efforts in blocking illegal gambling sites that target Dutch consumers. According to Blok, these companies, with their vast resources and technological capabilities, are in a prime position to help close the “backdoor” to these illicit operations.

The cooperation between the regulator, licensed providers, banks, tech platforms, and payment services is essential for fighting this growing issue. Blok urged these sectors to unite in a common cause, saying, “Together, we have the same interest: combating illegal gambling sites.”

One of the key steps in this effort has been the civil lawsuit filed by the Dutch Lottery against Lalabet, the Netherlands’ largest illegal gambling site. Blok made it clear that the objective of the lawsuit is to shut down Lalabet permanently, preventing it from resurfacing under another name or website. This legal action represents just one facet of a larger strategy to dismantle illegal gambling networks in the country.

The Dutch gambling authority’s evolving role and challenges:

Alongside Blok’s speech, Renske Fikkers, head of the Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA), emphasized the need for more collaboration between regulators and operators. In her address, Fikkers introduced the KSA’s “Regulator 2.0” approach, which aims to make the regulator more accessible and flexible in addressing the sector’s challenges. This shift reflects a growing recognition that regulators must adapt to an evolving market, offering support to operators while enforcing stricter measures to protect players.

Fikkers also warned that failing to address advertising breaches could lead to more stringent regulations, including a potential total ban on gambling advertisements. This is a pressing concern, as recent months have seen an uptick in violations of advertising rules, with operators failing to comply with restrictions designed to protect vulnerable players.

The KSA’s new approach aims to build a more constructive relationship with operators, providing them with direct feedback and the opportunity to address concerns before they escalate. However, Fikkers made it clear that the onus is on operators to step up and demonstrate a commitment to player protection.

Looking ahead to the 2026 licensing round, Fikkers stressed that the KSA would carefully evaluate operators’ past compliance. Operators with histories of violations could find themselves at risk of losing their licenses. Fikkers’ message was clear: while the regulatory environment is becoming more stringent, the KSA is also open to collaborating with operators who show a genuine commitment to improving their practices.

Blok and Fikkers both pointed out the need for more stringent measures, such as blacklisting illegal gambling sites, banning advertisements for unlicensed platforms, and removing illegal apps from app stores. They also emphasized the necessity of empowering the KSA with additional powers to take swift action against illegal operators.

Furthermore, Blok called for greater attention to be paid to the impact of rising gambling taxes and increasingly restrictive policies on the legal market. These measures, while intended to protect consumers, have also made the legal offering less attractive, inadvertently driving players to illegal sites. Blok urged policymakers to reconsider these measures, particularly the increased gambling tax, which could further erode the competitive landscape for legal providers.

Ultimately, Blok’s message was clear: the battle against illegal gambling cannot be won by any one party alone. It requires a collaborative effort between the regulator, operators, financial institutions, and tech companies. All parties must work together to close the backdoors to illegal sites and ensure that players are protected within a regulated environment.