LiveScore Bet and tombola surrender their Dutch licences
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29 Dec 2024 •
Reading time: 3 minutes LiveScore Bet and tombola, two of the first operators to obtain an online gambling licence in the Netherlands, have recently decided to withdraw from the Dutch market. This decision raises questions about the commercial viability of this sector in the country.
An unexpected departure
On 12 November 2024, LiveScore Bet announced its intention to leave the Dutch market, citing a lack of commercial viability. This announcement came as a surprise to many observers, especially as the company had begun operations in the Netherlands in March 2022, initially offering sports betting before expanding its offering to include online casino games.
On 29 November 2024, the LiveScore Bet website ceased operations, transforming into an affiliate platform promoting another legal online casino, ComeOn. This rapid transition left players and analysts wondering about the underlying reasons for this sudden withdrawal.
Licence surrendered
On 23 December 2024, the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), the Dutch gaming regulator, confirmed that LiveScore Malta Limited, the parent company of LiveScore Bet, had voluntarily surrendered its licence. This official move marks the end of the company’s operations in the Netherlands.
Interestingly, LiveScore Bet was among the first ten operators to be granted a licence when the Dutch online gambling market was regulated on 1ᵉʳ October 2021. However, months passed before the company actually launched its services, raising questions about the challenges it faced in getting off the ground.
In 2024, Sam Sadi, CEO of LiveScore Group, expressed reservations about current regulations, stating that the company might not have entered the Dutch market had the current measures been known in advance. This statement, seen as a warning sign, already suggested tensions between the operator and the Dutch regulatory framework.
A changing market
LiveScore Bet is not the only operator to withdraw from the Dutch market this year. Tombola, a provider of online bingo games, also ceased operations in the Netherlands on 1 October 2024. However, unlike LiveScore Bet, tombola did not directly surrender its licence to the Ksa. The revocation of its licence was announced on 24 December.
These successive departures raise questions about the attractiveness and sustainability of the Dutch online gambling market. Could the strict regulations and commercial conditions dissuade other operators from setting up or maintaining their activities in the Netherlands?
What are the prospects for players?
For Dutch players, these withdrawals mean a reduction in the offer available. However, other operators continue to offer their services, and new entrants may try to fill the void left by LiveScore Bet and tombola. The question remains: will these new players successfully navigate the Dutch regulatory landscape to offer viable and attractive services to consumers?
The withdrawal of LiveScore Bet and tombola from the Dutch market highlights the challenges faced by online gambling operators in strict regulatory environments. As the authorities seek to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of the market, it is essential to find a balance that allows businesses to prosper while respecting established standards. The future of the Dutch online gambling market will depend on the ability of regulators and operators to work together to create an environment that is both safe and commercially viable.