The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), the Dutch authority responsible for regulating games of chance, has just announced the forthcoming creation of a new type of operating licence for skill machines.
Why this new regime?
For several years now, the Ksa has been seeking to adapt its regulatory arsenal to better control the risks associated with gambling, while at the same time providing a stricter framework for operators.
The classic licence for online gambling, reviewed in the Beleidsregels vergunningverlening kansspelen op afstand, will be updated on 1 January 2026 to impose new compliance criteria.
What is new, however, is a segment that is often left in the shadows: address machines (often found in cafés, amusement arcades and small establishments). Until now, their operation has not been subject to this level of licence. The Ksa now intends to fill this regulatory gap with a limited operating licence. The idea is to align all operators on a common regulatory basis, regardless of their format, in order to enhance player protection and market transparency.
Terms and conditions: what will this limited licence look like?
The licence will specifically concern skill machines – devices where the player engages his skills, often mixed with chance – set up in physical locations. It will apply in limited contexts, hence the name: large-scale operations or fully online games will continue to be subject to the broader traditional licence.
The Ksa promises to publish details of the application procedure in the next few days. It should be noted that this licence will only take effect from 1ᵉʳ January 2026, and will apply to applications submitted from that date.
Issues
This new development represents an increase in regulatory skills for a sector that is often poorly regulated. Those who currently operate without a licence may have to adapt their models: legal structure, finances, compliance, transparency. Some small operators may find the administrative burden too heavy. But for serious operators, it is an opportunity to legitimise their activity, increase player confidence and avoid sanctions or forced closures.
The Ksa’s stated aim is to strengthen player protection, reduce the risk of fraud and abuse, and ensure that operators meet solid standards. This is in line with the regulator’s stricter approach to the gaming sector as a whole.
Conclusion
The introduction of a limited operating licence for skill machines marks a crucial step in the modernisation of gaming regulation in the Netherlands. It demonstrates the Ksa’s commitment to extending the legal framework to all forms of gambling, strengthening player protection and establishing a more uniform regulatory framework. It remains to be seen how this new tool will be implemented in practice, and to what extent it will transform the landscape of small-scale physical gambling.