TLDR
- Dutch MPs from across the political spectrum called for faster, tougher action against illegal gambling sites during a Thursday committee debate.
- The government is developing legislation for DNS blocking of illegal gambling websites, with a public consultation planned for early 2027.
- Justice State Secretary KT van Bruggen said Meta and Google are open to talks about illegal gambling ads on social media.
- Some lawmakers want the legal gambling age raised from 18 to 21, but the government wants to wait until the black market is under control first.
- SGP member Diederik van Dijk called for a full reversal of the Netherlands’ 2021 online gambling legalization and a total ban on gambling ads.
The Dutch House of Representatives held a three hour debate on the gambling sector on Thursday. Ten committee members took part, representing parties from across the political spectrum.
Lawmakers reviewed research papers, sector reports, and a letter from Justice State Secretary KT van Bruggen dated April 2026. That letter noted that channelisation, the share of players using licensed sites, had dropped below 50 percent.
Despite disagreements on other topics, most parties agreed on one thing. The illegal gambling market needs stronger enforcement.
Government Targets Illegal Operators and Big Tech
Members from parties including ChristenUnie, PRO, and SGP asked the government to block illegal gambling websites faster. They compared this to how the government already blocks sites linked to terrorism and child abuse material.
Van Bruggen confirmed the cabinet is working on legislation for DNS blocking. A public consultation on this plan is expected in early 2027.
Lawmakers also raised concerns about illegal gambling ads spreading across social media platforms. The gambling sector has already taken legal action against Meta over this issue.
Van Bruggen said Meta and Google have shown willingness to discuss the problem. She added that the government will receive a report on illegal gambling ads every six months.
She also said the issue needs attention at the European Union level, through the Digital Services Act. Members of the VVD party pushed the government to take a firmer position against large tech platforms.
Debate Over Raising the Legal Gambling Age
Several politicians raised the idea of increasing the legal gambling age from 18 to 21. This is not a new proposal in Dutch politics.
A bill in 2025 suggested raising the age limit for higher risk games like online slots. SGP member Diederik van Dijk and CDA member Tijs van den Brink were among those backing the change this time.
Van Bruggen said more time is needed before making that decision. She explained that raising the age could push younger players toward unlicensed gambling sites instead.
She said the topic will come up again in future progress reports to parliament.
Van Dijk went further than most other members. He called for a complete reversal of the 2021 law that legalized online gambling in the Netherlands.
He also asked for a full ban on gambling advertising, including ads from lotteries and physical casinos. Van Dijk questioned the government’s ties to state-owned gambling companies Holland Casino and Nederlandse Loterij.
Holland Casino CEO Petra de Ruiter spoke about player protection efforts last week. She said she is proud of the safeguards the company has in place.
Holland Casino runs a responsible gambling board made up of scientists and people with lived experience. This board meets regularly to review the company’s practices and challenge its decisions.
By the end of the debate, Van Bruggen made the government’s priorities clear. Illegal market enforcement comes first.
She said raising the gambling age will only be considered once the black market is under control. If tighter enforcement solves the problem, she said, the age increase may not be needed at all.
