The Ksa announces concrete results in the fight against illegal gambling
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12 Jun 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
The Kansspelautoriteit claims to have achieved initial results in its fight against illegal online gambling sites. Thanks to cooperation with several industry stakeholders, the Ksa says it has restricted access to certain unauthorised content and limited its visibility to Dutch consumers.
An alliance to curb illegal online gambling
The fight against illegal online gambling does not rely solely on sanctions or administrative procedures. It also takes place within the digital infrastructure that enables unauthorised operators to reach players: search engines, promotional pages, access to games, visibility channels and content linked to illegal platforms.
It is in this area that the Kansspelautoriteit claims to have made progress. The Ksa has identified the fight against illegal online gambling as one of its top priorities. To strengthen its efforts, it has formed an alliance with various industry stakeholders to target the mechanisms that allow unlicensed sites to remain visible and accessible to consumers in the Netherlands.
At a recent meeting, the members of this partnership reviewed the initial results achieved.
The visibility of illegal sites under pressure
In online gambling, visibility is a key issue. An illegal site can attract players if it appears prominently in search results or if it targets search terms used by consumers looking for gambling offers outside the regulated market.
The Ksa reports having observed a reduction in this visibility. Part of this progress is linked to actions targeting search terms considered high-risk. These terms are commonly used by players seeking gambling services outside the Dutch legal framework.
This strategy demonstrates that the Kansspelautoriteit does not limit itself to a reactive approach. It also seeks to intervene at an earlier stage, before the consumer is directed towards an illegal offer. For a gambler, access to an unauthorised site often begins with a simple search. If this search is less likely to lead to illegal operators, exposure to risk decreases.
The Ksa aims to make unauthorised offers less visible, less accessible and less attractive. In a digital market where operators can quickly adapt their methods, this reduction in visibility represents a significant lever.
Casino games made inaccessible
One of the most tangible results announced by the Kansspelautoriteit concerns access to certain well-known casino games, such as those from Pragmatic Play. According to the Ksa, these games are no longer available on several illegal sites frequented by Dutch consumers.
By making these games inaccessible on several illegal platforms, the Ksa and its partners are tackling one of the factors that can attract players to these sites. It is not just a matter of blocking pages, but of reducing the ability of unlicensed operators to offer an attractive range of games.
Consumer protection at the heart of discussions
The alliance’s meeting was not limited to issues of access and visibility. It also focused on consumer protection, a key priority for the Kansspelautoriteit.
Prior to the meeting, representatives from Monzo presented a gambling blocking feature. This tool allows users to block gambling-related transactions via the banking app. It also provides access to customer service support when needed.
This feature is optional. It can help people who wish to better control their gambling expenditure or avoid certain transactions. It represents a complementary approach to that of the KSA: on the one hand, reducing the presence of illegal sites; on the other, providing users with tools to limit their own exposure to risk.
Participants at the meeting also discussed market trends, their practical experiences and the methods used to tackle illegal gambling activities. This aspect of exchange is essential in a constantly evolving digital environment.
The initial results announced by the Kansspelautoriteit show that the cooperation is beginning to yield visible results. Several well-known casino games are no longer accessible on certain illegal sites. The online visibility of unauthorised operators has decreased. Around 200 sites containing content related to illegal gambling have already been made inaccessible.