The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) is set to intensify its regulatory efforts in 2026, focusing on the dual challenges of illegal gambling and player protection. The KSA’s supervisory agenda for the year outlines five key areas of emphasis: tackling illegal gambling offers, protecting vulnerable groups, monitoring the duty of care, overseeing advertising practices, and ensuring compliance with the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act (Wwft). These priorities reflect the increasing complexity of the gambling landscape in the Netherlands, driven by both technological advancements and growing concerns over the well-being of players.

Focus on Vulnerable Groups and Player Protection

In response to the rise of illegal gambling, the KSA will expand its capacity to disrupt illegal gambling operations. A significant part of this effort will involve enhanced collaboration with various stakeholders, including payment service providers, hosting companies, and social media platforms. This integrated approach aims to make illegal gambling services less accessible to Dutch consumers and to address the full network of facilitators that keep these sites operational.

One of the central themes of the KSA’s 2026 agenda is the protection of vulnerable groups, particularly minors and young adults, who are often at risk of problematic gambling behavior. The regulator is committed to reducing the exposure of these groups to gambling, including through stricter enforcement of advertising regulations. Research on the gambling behavior of young adults, aged 18 to 24, will continue to guide the development of further protective measures. The KSA plans to use data from the Control Database to investigate the prevalence of underage gambling and the factors that drive young people to gamble.

Additionally, the KSA is enhancing its efforts to educate the public on responsible gambling. The “OpenOverGokken” platform, which will be further expanded in 2026, will provide information and resources on how to recognize and address gambling-related harm. This initiative forms part of a broader push to raise awareness and ensure that players and professionals alike have access to the support they need.

Another key focus of the KSA in 2026 is ensuring that legal gambling operators maintain a strong duty of care toward their customers. This duty involves safeguarding players from addiction and ensuring that gambling remains a safe and enjoyable activity. The KSA will closely monitor compliance with these regulations, particularly in online casinos, where gaming limits, financial capacity assessments, and the prompt identification of risky behavior are critical. The regulator is also investigating whether certain forms of behavioral management, which encourage longer or more frequent play, violate operators’ duty of care responsibilities.

In the land-based sector, the KSA will continue to enforce its guidelines and conduct compliance checks, ensuring that operators uphold the same standards of care as their online counterparts. New guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and monitoring tools by operators will be published to help them better identify and manage gambling-related risks.

Addressing Advertising Violations

Advertising remains a significant area of concern for the KSA, particularly when it comes to protecting vulnerable groups from harmful exposure to gambling promotions. The authority will continue to clamp down on advertising that targets minors and young adults, including through the use of role models, influencers, and streamers. These types of advertisements, which are particularly popular in online gambling, have been criticized for normalizing gambling behavior and appealing to younger, impressionable audiences.

The KSA has also made it clear that advertising by illegal gambling operators will remain a high priority. The authority will intensify its enforcement of the ban on untargeted gambling advertising, including sports sponsorships, which can inadvertently reach audiences outside of the intended demographic. While some forms of advertising remain permissible under strict conditions, the KSA is committed to ensuring that all operators follow these regulations to maintain a safe gambling environment.

Finally, as stated on the regulator’s website, the KSA will bolster its oversight of compliance with the Wwft, the Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act. The authority’s efforts will focus on monitoring the financial activities of online gambling providers, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring that all operators maintain proper customer due diligence practices. In addition, the KSA is closely watching the implementation of new AML regulations, with a particular focus on the role of European regulators like the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA).