KSA criticises Meta and Google over illegal gambling adverts in the Netherlands

The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has criticised Meta and Google over adverts for illegal gambling operators, with chair Michel Groothuizen saying the regulator will first seek voluntary agreements with the technology companies before considering legal action. The KSA's position was reported on 15 October 2026.

Groothuizen put the share of users on regulated offerings at about 90%, yet he stressed that those who gamble on illegal sites spend far more heavily, to the point where their outlay is comparable to the licensed sector's entire revenue. His summary of the imbalance was blunt: "For every euro wagered legally, another euro ends up in the illegal gambling industry."

In Groothuizen's view, Meta and Google bear indirect responsibility for keeping the black market alive, since they earn substantial money by carrying ads for unlicensed operators in the Netherlands and around the world. He acknowledged that giving up a business model this profitable would be hard for the tech giants, but argued it is still what they must do.

The KSA said it has ample evidence that the technology companies enable prohibited gambling activities, but that legal action remains a last resort. Groothuizen said such proceedings could take years and that success is not guaranteed, adding that opponents are prepared to fight to the highest court and that a final judicial ruling could be five years away.

The regulator is also targeting payment processors working with illegal operators and seeking to reduce the black market's online visibility. Dutch law enforcement has taken measures to identify and shut down illegal operations, but collecting fines from offending companies and forcing them to stop has proven challenging, according to the report.

The report described youth gambling as a particular source of concern. It explained that early exposure leads many young people to open accounts with gambling platforms the moment they turn 18. Minors who use black market services, the report added, could face greater danger, because such platforms often lack adequate consumer protection safeguards and some even allow underage individuals.

The KSA and Google recently announced a collaboration to create a whitelist of all licensed operators in the EU, which could help the technology company limit the visibility of unregulated platforms. The report said the effort is still in its infancy.