TLDR
- The Dutch regulated gambling market has flatlined, with player activity and revenue barely changing over six months
- Average monthly player losses dropped to about €120 in late 2025 after stricter deposit limits and advertising rules
- Licensed operators’ share of total gambling revenue fell from 56% to 53% in 2025, with more money flowing to unlicensed platforms
- Players are opening accounts across multiple operators to get around per-site deposit limits
- Dutch regulators are considering a nationwide deposit limit across all licensed sites to close loopholes
The Dutch gambling market looks stable on paper. But a closer look at the numbers tells a different story.
New data from the Kansspelautoriteit, the country’s gambling regulator, shows the regulated market has barely moved in the past six months. Licensed operator numbers are steady. Player activity is flat. Revenue is mostly unchanged.
This comes after two years of tightening. The Netherlands rolled out stricter deposit limits, tougher advertising rules, and higher taxes on gambling operators. The goal was to cut down on harm and bring more control to the industry.
On one level, the plan is working. Average monthly losses for players dropped to around €120 in the second half of 2025. That is a clear drop compared to earlier in the year.
But the gains come with a trade-off.
Licensed Operators Are Losing Ground
Licensed platforms handled 56% of total gambling revenue at the start of 2025. By late 2025, that number had slipped to 53%. The shift is small but steady.
That three-point drop means close to half of all gambling spending in the Netherlands may now be happening on unlicensed websites. These sites operate outside Dutch law and face little oversight.
The trend is not sudden. It is gradual, which makes it easy to overlook. But it is moving in one direction.
Players are not simply gambling less. Many appear to be adjusting how and where they play.
There is evidence that some are opening accounts with multiple licensed operators. This lets them work around deposit limits that apply on a per-site basis. It also makes it harder for regulators to track spending in one place.
Others are skipping the legal market entirely. Unlicensed platforms tend to offer fewer checks, higher betting limits, and faster access. Some also accept cryptocurrency, which adds distance from regulatory systems.
For players who feel boxed in, alternatives are not hard to find.
A Pattern Showing Up Beyond the Netherlands
The Netherlands is not the only country dealing with this. In South Africa, most gambling activity is now believed to take place on unlicensed platforms. In the UK, research has shown that offshore operators can still reach players without facing real consequences.
Cross-border enforcement remains difficult. Technology is making it easier for illegal operators to compete, with crypto payments and advanced targeting tools helping them attract users.
Dutch regulators are now weighing their options. One proposal is a nationwide deposit limit that would apply across all licensed operators, not just on a per-site basis. The idea is to stop players from spreading their activity across platforms to dodge restrictions.
That move could close one gap. But it could also push more players toward unlicensed sites if the legal system feels too restrictive.
The KSA has said it will not consider loosening protections. Concerns remain about vulnerable users, especially younger adults. About 6% of the Dutch population gambles online. Among 18-year-olds, the number of accounts held per person stands out compared to other age groups.
Funding for prevention and addiction support programs continues to grow.
The legal market is holding steady for now. But the share going to unlicensed operators is creeping upward.
If that trend continues, the current stability may not last.
