The Netherlands is reviewing online gambling licences
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31 Jul 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
The first licences issued when the gambling market in the Netherlands opened in 2021 are due to expire on 30 September 2026. The operators concerned must submit a new application and undergo a fresh assessment by the Kansspelautoriteit. Consumers are expected to learn of the regulator’s decision in mid-September.
A new chapter five years after the market opened
1 October 2021 marks an important date in the history of gambling in the Netherlands. From that date onwards, operators holding a licence issued by the Kansspelautoriteit were authorised to legally offer their services to Dutch players.
Five years on, this first generation of licences is coming to an end. Contrary to what some might imagine, these licences are not automatically renewed. Each licence holder must submit a new application and once again convince the regulator that they meet all the required conditions.
Eight operators remain in the running
Originally, ten companies were granted licences during the first round of authorisations issued in September 2021. Since then, LiveScore Bet and Tombola have requested that their licences be revoked. There are now eight operators remaining from this first generation of licences:
- TOTO,
- GGPoker,
Whilst some brands have evolved or changed ownership since the market opened, the licence holders still belong to the first group authorised in 2021.
A decision expected in mid-September
According to the spokesperson for the Kansspelautoriteit, Marloes Derks, the authority plans to issue a statement during the month preceding the licence renewals.
“The Ksa plans to issue a statement regarding the licences granted during the month preceding the licence renewals. For this first round, this will take place in mid-September.”
The regulator also states that this approach will be applied during subsequent renewals: decisions will be made public approximately two weeks before the expiry of the licences in question.
The KSA explains that it does not publicly disclose information about rejected applications. This rule applies equally to new applicants and to licence holders whose licences are due to expire. However, the authority will announce in general terms which operators will no longer continue their activities once their licence has expired, without specifying whether this is due to a licence refusal or a voluntary withdrawal.
An exit plan is now mandatory
From 1 January 2026, new licence applications must include an exit plan. This document sets out how an operator will wind down its activities in an organised manner should this become necessary.
The Kansspelautoriteit specifies that this plan must, in particular, explain how players’ funds will be refunded quickly and efficiently. It must also set out how the company will remain contactable after its gaming services have ceased.
More broadly, this mechanism must ensure a controlled winding-down of operations in order to minimise the impact on consumers.
Can past sanctions be taken into account?
One of the most sensitive aspects of this new procedure concerns operators’ track records.
“The Ksa takes a company’s track record of compliance into account when assessing a new application.”
The regulator also states that a new licence may be subject to amended conditions based on this track record. Another notable point is that sanctions already made public are taken into account, even where an appeal process is still ongoing.
A crucial milestone for the Dutch market
This first re-evaluation exercise marks a pivotal moment for the regulated online gambling market in the Netherlands.
For operators established at the time of the 2021 legalisation, the aim is now to demonstrate that they continue to meet the requirements imposed by the current regulations, which have been strengthened since the start of 2026 by new obligations, including the exit plan.
For players, the period beginning in mid-September will provide vital clarity on which platforms will be able to continue offering their services legally after 30 September 2026.