The Netherlands Gambling Authority plans to broaden its 2026 oversight of illegal gambling to include payment providers, hosting companies, social media platforms and B2B suppliers, the regulator said. The agenda prioritises making illegal gambling inaccessible and sets out no specific supplier sanctions.
The KSA’s broader focus means payment, hosting, social media and B2B suppliers may face closer scrutiny.
The day’s most important stories, free. One email a day.
Dutch regulator KSA is seeking agreements with major technology platforms to curb illegal gambling advertising on social media and is prepared to consider legal action if talks fall short, according to remarks by chair Michel Groothuizen. He cited hundreds of thousands of illegal gambling ads, some aimed at self-excluded players or minors.
The Dutch gambling authority KSA is seeking agreements with major technology platforms to counter the spread of illegal gambling advertising on social media, and says it is prepared to consider legal action if talks do not produce sufficient results. The position was set out in a contribution published on the KSA website by its chair, Michel Groothuizen, and.
Reportedly, the European Gaming and Betting Association met a delegation from Dutch regulator KSA at its Brussels office last week. Talks covered the European gambling market, consumer protection, harm detection, money-laundering prevention and the next European Safer Gambling Week. KSA chair Michel Groothuizen has outlined a European strategy involving technology platforms and payment intermediaries, including a joint working group with Google on a whitelist of EU-licensed operators.
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) met a delegation from Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, at EGBA's Brussels office last week, according to the trade outlet Jamma. The meeting covered the European gambling market, consumer protection, detection of potentially harmful behaviour, money-laundering prevention and the next European Safer Gambling Week.
VNLOK has begun legal action against Meta over adverts for unlicensed gambling operators in the Netherlands. The association says large platforms should detect and remove illegal adverts proactively rather than only responding to complaints. It argues the adverts undermine consumer protection under Dutch gambling law.
The chair of the Dutch gambling regulator KSA has suggested authorities prepare for possible legal action against social media platforms that fail to tackle illegal gambling advertising. Michel Groothuizen said the KSA would keep seeking voluntary cooperation while preparing potential legal measures, warning that proceedings could take years and have uncertain outcomes. He said European regulators have a joint task force with Google and Meta that is working on an EU-wide whitelist of licensed operators.
The chair of the Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has suggested that authorities should prepare for possible legal action against large social media platforms that fail to tackle illegal gambling advertising, while continuing to seek voluntary cooperation. Michel Groothuizen made the suggestion in a piece published on the regulator's website.
VNLOK chairman Björn Fuchs said the Dutch betting trade body has clear evidence of failures by Meta that let audiences be drawn to illegal gambling content. Speaking at the Gaming in Spain Conference, he described the Dutch challenge as one that will affect all European markets.