The new Dutch Jetten government is preparing to radically redefine gambling policy, with one clear priority: to better protect players while combating the illegal market that is gaining ground.
Reform relaunched with the arrival of a new cabinet
The installation of a new government marks a turning point in an issue that had remained unresolved after the fall of the previous coalition. This restart comes after several months of political uncertainty that interrupted reforms announced for 2025.
The core of the new direction is based on a simple idea: gambling activities are legal but vulnerable to abuse and crime. The government emphasizes that they can be exposed to exploitation and must therefore be subject to increased vigilance. This approach is part of a trend that has already begun in recent years, with proposals to raise the minimum age for certain high-risk games and to strengthen operators’ vigilance obligations.
In particular, the authorities want to strengthen the duty of protection of online platforms, while stepping up the fight against illegal sites.
Controversial measures
Among the most debated measures is the idea of a complete ban on advertising for gambling. For advocates of this hard line, reducing commercial visibility would limit exposure to vulnerable audiences. But the measure is divisive. Industry representatives fear that a total ban would drive players to illegal offerings, which are beyond any control.
The coalition is also considering reducing the number of operators authorized on the Dutch market. This proposal has been met with caution by the regulator itself. Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the Kansspelautoriteit, has expressed reservations, arguing that it would be legally difficult to exclude certain operators who comply with the rules. In his view, restricting the number of licensees would not necessarily lead to a decline in advertising or participation.
A legal market under pressure from illegal gambling
Behind these debates lies a major concern: the rise of the illegal market.
The authorities have noted that a significant proportion of bets now escape the regulated circuit, a phenomenon considered worrying. This development fuels the argument that overly strict regulation could have the opposite effect to that intended.
The regulator nevertheless points out that the legal market, even if imperfect, offers safeguards against excessive losses and addictive behavior.
2026, a pivotal year for licenses
The regulatory calendar further reinforces the urgency of political decisions. The first licenses issued when the market opened in 2021 will expire in 2026, requiring operators to submit new applications.
These renewals will be accompanied by stricter requirements, including money laundering risk analyses and a comprehensive reassessment of player protection policies. At the same time, administrative costs are rising significantly to cover regulatory expenses, with fee increases applied to several license categories.
The government is now taking a more interventionist approach, considering that current regulations do not provide sufficient protection against the risks associated with online gambling, particularly for young people. But it must contend with an economic reality: the sector represents a significant legal activity, whose attractiveness is key to keeping players in a supervised environment.
Despite some criticism, regulators and the government claim to share a common goal: to protect vulnerable individuals and combat illegality.
The real test: restoring confidence
The new Jetten coalition is playing a complex game. Too many restrictions could weaken the legal market; too few could expose players to greater risk. The success of the reform will therefore depend on one key factor: convincing people that regulation protects without infantilizing, that it provides a framework without driving people underground.
The Netherlands is thus embarking on a new phase in its gambling policy, closely watched by all European regulators facing the same dilemmas.