Ksa reveals: “Belgian online casino had to stop offering in the Netherlands”
•
12 Mar 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
The Dutch Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) has released documents concerning the early years of online gambling enforcement following a recent Woo request.
The Ksa has announced which gambling companies were under supervision between 2012 and 2016. Major names appear in the documents, including the Belgian Napoleon Games, which operates legally in our country.
Transparency after 12 years: Ksa releases names after Woo request
The disclosure by the Ksa follows a Woo request from November 26, 2025. This request asked for warning letters and so-called non-prioritization letters sent by the Ksa to online gambling companies between 2010 and 2016.
After an extensive search of the archives, the regulator decided to release the documents for the most part. For the first time, the names of the companies involved are also included in the papers.
This is a clear change of course. In the past, such documents were often published without names. Now, the Ksa ruled that the interest of transparency outweighs potential reputational damage to the companies.
According to the regulator, time also plays a role. The events took place more than twelve years ago, making the information primarily historical in nature.
Fines up to €820,000: The warning to Napoleon Games and 888
Various major names from the gambling sector appear in the letters. For instance, 888 Holdings plc received a letter as early as June 2012, in which agreements were made to stop the illegal offering in the Netherlands.
The Belgian Napoleon Games also received a clear warning on May 3, 2016. The company had to stop offering online games of chance to Dutch players by June 14 of that year at the latest. Otherwise, a fine of up to €820,000 or ten percent of the turnover was threatened.
Not all companies received such a direct warning. Some providers received a so-called non-prioritization letter. This did not mean their offering was legal, but that the Ksa did not give it priority at that time.
Among others, Unibet received such a letter in June 2013. Sites such as Oranje Casino, Bwin, and Betsson also received confirmation that they no longer fell under the direct enforcement focus.
Strict rules were intended to protect Dutch players
During that period, online gambling was completely prohibited in the Netherlands. The Betting and Gaming Act did not yet offer the possibility to grant licenses for online casinos.
Because the market was growing rapidly anyway, the Ksa had to make choices. The regulator therefore worked with prioritization criteria to determine which providers would be addressed first.
Websites with a .nl domain, Dutch-language pages, or advertising in Dutch media were automatically targeted. Companies that clearly focused on Dutch players could receive an administrative fine.
The letters also referred to the Bibob Act. This allows a license to be refused if a company has violated rules in the past or if there are doubts about the integrity of the provider.
Is Napoleon Games safe and legal in Belgium today?
While these historical documents show that many operators struggled with old Dutch legislation, the situation in Belgium today is perfectly clear. Napoleon Games holds an official A+ license from the Belgian Gaming Commission, meaning they are 100% legal and strictly monitored in our country.