‘It’s about money, not hunting’: police uncover gambling behind poaching
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9 Jan 2026 •
Reading time: 2 minutes The police paint a disturbing picture of poaching in the Netherlands. Behind the scenes, betting is playing an increasingly important role.
Four men were arrested last Sunday in Aardenburg. They are suspected of poaching. But what started as a nature case took a different turn. According to the police, closed groups are gambling on hunting dogs, with stakes that can run into tens of thousands of euros.
Poachers gamble on the performance of their dogs
The way these bets are placed is striking. Hunting dogs are used to catch game, such as hares or roe deer. It is not the catch that counts, but the “game”. Who catches the fastest, who catches the most, who wins. And that is what is bet on. Sometimes it is a hundred euros, sometimes thirty thousand. In some cases, people even bet with cars or expensive items.
The police observe that the game is often simply discarded afterwards. In ditches, in the fields, as if it were worthless. This makes it clear what it is really about: money and status within the group. Not nature conservation or food.
A select group watches live
To facilitate these gambling activities, the organisers film the hunts. The footage is then broadcast live to a select group of people who participate in the gambling. The participants are not random passers-by. They are often members of closed circles, to which outsiders have no access.
The case in Aardenburg is not an isolated one
During the arrest, five greyhounds, thermal cameras and an electric collar were seized, among other things. The suspects have no fixed abode or place of residence. They are still in custody while the police investigate whether more people are involved and whether the hunts are part of a larger network.
What is the situation in Belgium?
According to a spokesperson, illegal gambling and poaching often go hand in hand. And although this specific case is taking place in the Netherlands, the police do not rule out the possibility that similar structures also exist across the border. In Belgium, warnings have been issued for some time about criminal networks involved in illegal gambling.
The method – gambling on the performance of animals within secret groups – shows striking similarities. However, it has not been confirmed that this is actually taking place. In Belgium, the Gaming Commission closely monitors all abuses related to illegal gambling.
The police are currently investigating which online platforms are being used to organise the bets. As a precaution, the names are not being disclosed in order to prevent further spread.