Dutch Gambling Authority Reminds Operators of Betting Rules

The Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) has sent a firm reminder to the industry after several online sportsbooks were caught offering prohibited betting markets. These operators listed speculative wagers, such as "Most Valuable Player" (MVP) awards, which fall outside the legal framework for sports wagering in the Netherlands.

Dutch regulations strictly permit only bets on match outcomes or specific in-game events. Bets on speculative individual awards are banned to prevent manipulation and maintain the integrity of competitions. The KSA also highlighted a recurring issue from late 2025 where operators were flagged for offering bets on matches involving players under the age of 21, a direct breach of youth protection protocols.

The regulator emphasized that responsibility for compliance rests solely with the license holder. Even if a sportsbook is powered by an external provider, the operator remains accountable for ensuring all offerings adhere to Dutch law. Oversight has also extended to advertising, with JOI Gaming (Jacks) recently forced to remove a direct link to its platform from a darts website deemed to be illegal advertising.

As the Dutch market continues its rapid expansion, the KSA is signaling that its previously more reserved approach, where operators were not always named publicly, may soon end if compliance failures persist. Operators are urged to move beyond "compliance on paper" and implement constant active monitoring of their live platforms to avoid future regulatory intervention.