Skyhills disappears following legal action
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5 Sep 2026 •
Reading time: 2 minutes
The Dutch National Lottery has taken legal action against the operators and directors of Skyhills, an illegal gambling website in the Netherlands. Since this initial action, the platform is no longer accessible to Dutch players.
Skyhills becomes inaccessible to Dutch players
The dispute between the Dutch National Lottery and Skyhills has already yielded its first tangible result. After being formally ordered to cease its activities in the Netherlands, the site is no longer accessible from within the country.
However, the National Lottery does not intend to stop at simply blocking access. It holds Skyhills’ operators and directors liable for the damages it claims to have suffered.
The organisation is also seeking further information on the corporate structure and the individuals behind the platform. This information could enable it to consider further legal action against the parties concerned.
Why is Skyhills in the spotlight?
According to the Dutch National Lottery, Skyhills was directly targeting the Dutch market, notably through adverts on TikTok. The organisation claims that these campaigns were also aimed at young people.
The companies and individuals involved are reportedly based in several jurisdictions, including Costa Rica, North Macedonia, the United Kingdom, Curaçao, Malta and the Marshall Islands.
For Arjan Blok, Chief Executive of the Dutch National Lottery, the main concern is player protection.
“Player protection is a priority for the Dutch National Lottery. We want players to be able to take part in our games safely and responsibly.”
He accuses Skyhills of deliberately targeting Dutch players, particularly young people, through its advertising campaigns.
A third legal action against an illegal gambling site
Skyhills is not the first platform to be taken to court by the Dutch National Lottery. This is the third gambling site deemed illegal against which the organisation has taken legal action.
Proceedings had previously been brought against Lalabet and Qbet. The trial concerning Qbet is expected to begin at the end of 2026.
According to Arjan Blok, several organisations already have the means to take action. The Public Prosecutor’s Office, banks, payment providers and hosting services, in particular, could play a greater role in the fight against illegal operators.
Skyhills: a case that goes beyond the closure of a website
The aim of the proceedings is therefore not limited to preventing Dutch players from accessing Skyhills. The National Lottery is also seeking to identify more precisely the organisation behind the platform and the potential liabilities of the various parties involved.