Netherlands Online Casino Rules Under KSA Licensing

Netherlands Online Casino Rules Under KSA Licensing

6 min

The Dutch online gambling market has been regulated by the KSA since 2021. Since then, the rules have changed several times. There are now deposit limits, a national self-exclusion system, and many other rules that casinos must follow. We’ve put together this guide to answer all your questions.

Netherlands Gambling Regulation Timeline, 2021-2026

Adela Paraschiv, the editor of this article, has provided you with a table listing the main legislative changes, all presented in chronological order.

When What changed
1 April 2021 The KOA Act has taken effect
1 October 2021 The regulated market has opened, and the first licenses issued by the KSA are appearing
1 July 2022 Celebrities are no longer allowed to appear in casino advertisements
24 April 2023 CRUKS 2.0 introduces an 8 day waiting period before the cancellation of self-exclusion takes effect
1 July 2023 Ban on untargeted gambling advertising takes effect
1 October 2024 Mandatory monthly deposit limits
23 December 2024 Tombola and LiveScore Bet surrender their KSA licenses and exit the Dutch market, citing rising taxes
1 January 2025 Gambling tax increases from 30.5% to 34.2%.
1 January 2026 Kansspelbelasting rises again, to 37.8%
1 October 2026 The first licenses issued in 2021 reach their five-year expiry and must be renewed under current rules. Now you need to check whether the casino you’re playing at is still licensed!

How KSA Licensing Works

KSA is the authority that issues gambling licenses in the Netherlands. A licensed casino where you play must meet strict requirements to obtain a license. It must protect your data and payments, prevent money laundering, and maintain financial stability.

According to analyses conducted by the CasinoAlpha team, as of mid-2026, there were 28 licensed operators. These include TOTO Casino, BetCity, Circus Casino, and Bet365. However, just because an operator is licensed doesn’t automatically mean it can’t be penalized. In fact, Bet365 itself was fined for advertising and offering bonuses to players under the age of 25.

Operators that were licensed in 2021 are set to lose their licenses right now, on October 1, 2026. Why do we say this? Because licenses are not automatically renewed. A casino seeking a license must prove that it complies with the rules. So don’t forget to check the list of licensed operators either directly in the official KSA registry or on our website because we only feature legal casinos.

The Netherlands’ National Self-Exclusion Register

CRUKS, which stands for Central Register Uitsluiting Kansspelen, is the national self-exclusion registry in the Netherlands. Unlike in other countries, if you self-exclude through CRUKS, you are excluded from both online casinos and brick-and-mortar gaming venues. You no longer need to submit separate requests to each individual casino.

On April 24, 2023, the national CRUKS registry was updated, and the exclusion can no longer be canceled immediately. There is an 8-day waiting period that must elapse before you can play at a casino again. We believe this waiting period is beneficial because it reduces the risk of impulsive relapse.

Every Netherlands online casino you attempt to register with is required to check your CRUKS status.

Advertising Restrictions: Two Separate Reforms

Dutch regulations on gambling advertising have undergone frequent changes in recent years. As of July 1, 2022, operators are no longer allowed to feature celebrities or well-known figures in Netherlands online casino advertisements. A year later, the rules became even stricter. Gambling advertisements have been banned from TV, radio, billboards, and print media.

Only targeted advertising remains permitted that is, online ads shown only to a specific audience. However, there’s a catch! The operator must prove that 95% of the people who see that ad are over 24 years old. A person registered with CRUKS will not see that ad.

Restrictions on sports sponsorship are also being announced, and here we’re referring to ads on team jerseys. It remains to be seen whether changes will take effect. As you’ve seen, the change has taken place gradually.

Deposit Limits and Player Protection Since 2024

Starting in 2024, licensed operators must enforce monthly limits on casino deposits. If you are between 18 and 24 years old, the limit is €300. However, if you are 24  the limit is €700.

Let’s say you want to exceed this limit. In that case, the casino must conduct a review to assess your financial capacity. It will only take your regular income into account, not your savings or other assets.

According to the KSA, this measure has reduced the proportion of players exceeding the deposit limit from 9.7% to 2.2%. The largest decrease was among players aged 24 and under, from 12.0% to 1.9%. An impressive change!

What’s more, there’s also talk of a new law that would raise the minimum age for higher-risk games namely, slots from 18 to 21. We can’t confirm right now that this measure has gone into effect, but we know it’s a proposal under discussion.

Gambling Tax and the Growing Illegal Market

The gambling tax has doubled since the market opened. In 2021, it stood at 30.5%, rising to 37.8% as of January 1, 2026

However, these increases have not led to higher revenues for the state; rather, they have contributed to a rise in gambling through unlicensed operators. In 2025, tax revenue totaled approximately 2 million euros. The government had estimated 108 million euros, so we’re talking about a very large discrepancy!

The KSA also reported that in the first half of 2025, more players were gambling at illegal casinos than at legal ones. The industry blames this on tax hikes and the reduction in the number of licensed operators. LiveScore Bet is one of the companies that has withdrawn from the market.

For you, as a player, we have a simple conclusion. It’s important to check for a KSA license before signing up at a Netherlands online casino!

Netherlands Online Gambling: Current State, 2026

As you’ve seen, there have been a lot of changes since 2021. Adelina Paraschiv has put together a summary to help you better understand what these changes entailed.

Topic What You Need to Know
Regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA)
Governing law Wet Kansspelen op afstand (Koa Act), in force since 1 April 2021
Market status Regulated since 1 October 2021; roughly 27 to 28 active online licenses as of mid-2026
Self-exclusion CRUKS, covers online and land-based venues; minimum six months, up to 99 years; eight-day reflection period on de-registration
Untargeted advertising Banned since 1 July 2023 (TV, radio, print, billboards)
Targeted advertising Permitted only with a verified 24-plus audience and active CRUKS exclusion checks
Deposit limits EUR 300 per month for ages 18 to 24; EUR 700 per month for 24 and over; affordability checks above those limits
Operator tax rate 37.8% of gross gaming result, effective 1 January 2026
License renewal First 2021 licenses expire 1 October 2026, tied to new addiction-intervention compliance rules

The Bottom Line for Players

As you’ve probably noticed, the Dutch online gambling market has evolved considerably since its launch. There are now deposit limits, but keep in mind that these vary depending on your age. Advertising restrctions have also changed, and taxes have doubled over the past five years. If you’re playing at a licensed casino in 2021 those licenses wil expire in 2026, so be sure to check whether the operator is still licensed!

Many previously licensed operators have left the market due to excessively high taxes. KSA reports show that unlicensed gambling has increased in tandem with these changes.

You’ve seen how quickly things change, which is exactly why we recommend checking an operator’s current status directly in the KSA’s public registry. That way, you’l always be sure you’re not playing at an illegal casino.

How We Verified This

We, the experts at CasinoAlpha, have verified all the data and figures presented in this guide directly against the Kansspelautoriteit’s announcements and the public license registry. We have also carefully reviewed the Dutch government’s publications on taxes. Finally, we cross-checked the information with specialized industry press materials. If there was any data we couldn’t confirm, we’ve noted it so you understand that it remains unconfirmed.

Always gamble responsibly! Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a source of income. If you feel that gambling is harming you, we recommend that you take a break!

We wrote this article for informational purposes, and that’s how you should treat it. Don’t forget that regulations are constantly changing, so check directly with the Kansspelautoriteit before making a decision.

F.A.Q.

Is online gambling legal in the Netherlands?

Yes, but only for casinos licensed by the KSA. The KSA provides a registry of all authorized operators where you can play.

What is CRUKS and how do I register?

CRUKS is the national registry in the Netherlands for self-exclusion from gambling. It covers both online and land-based casinos. If you want to self-exclude, you must visit the CRUKS portal.

Are Bet365 and Unibet legally licensed to operate in the Netherlands?

Yes, you can play at both casinos. However, as mentioned above, Bet365 was penalized for advertising targeted at people under 25, and Unibet for violating the self-exclusion rules.

How much tax do licensed Dutch operators pay?

The kansspelbelasting rose to 37.8% of gross gaming result on 1 January 2026, up from 34.2% in 2025 and 30.5% when the market opened in 2021.

Why have some operators left the Dutch market?

As of December 23, 2024, Tombola and LiveScore Bet have ceased operations due to excessively high taxes.

Meet Our Experts
Adelina Paraschiv
AuthorAdelina ParaschivAuthor & Editor at Casino alpha

Since joining CasinoAlpha in 2023, Adelina Paraschiv has served as an Author & Editor, producing more than 80 casino reviews and 110 bonus analyses. Her expertise lies in uncovering obscure bonus conditions and promoting responsible gaming standards.  Follow Adelina on: Linkedin

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