KSA Implements New Online Gambling Licensing Rules
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The Netherlands’ Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has introduced revised policy rules for remote gambling licenses, strengthening compliance, transparency, and consumer protection requirements as the market approaches its first major renewal cycle. The amendments require all applicants to submit detailed exit plans outlining market withdrawal procedures, alongside updated risk assessments and enhanced reliability criteria.
The changes are designed to support long-term market stability as the initial five-year licenses, granted at market launch in October 2021, approach expiration in late 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Enhanced oversight: Mandatory exit plans ensure orderly market exits and safeguard players if licenses are not renewed.
- Renewal focus: Existing operators must demonstrate lessons learned from prior enforcement actions under KSA supervision.
- Market maturity: Updates reflect four years of regulatory experience in the regulated Dutch online gambling market, aiming to improve channelisation.
Under the updated Policy Rules for Remote Gambling Licensing, effective 1 January 2026, both new applicants and incumbent operators seeking renewal must submit a formal “exit plan.” This document must outline phased cessation of operations, player fund protection, and data handling procedures in the event of license denial or voluntary withdrawal.
The requirement reflects the KSA’s focus on minimising disruption in a market serving more than one million active players. It reinforces the Netherlands’ position among Europe’s more tightly regulated gambling jurisdictions.
For operators already active in the Netherlands, the KSA has established a dedicated renewal procedure that allows the reuse of prior submissions but requires detailed explanations for any enforcement actions. Applicants must demonstrate how compliance failures were addressed and how recurrence will be prevented.
Failure to satisfy the regulator may result in rejection or conditional approval. Additional obligations include comprehensive risk assessments under the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act (Wwft), timely notification of operational changes, and confirmation of compliance with enforceable court rulings. Non-compliance may lead to applicants being deemed unreliable under Dutch law.
Ownership and control structures remain under continuous review, with the KSA retaining authority to conduct integrity assessments through Bibob procedures. The Dutch framework, governed by the Remote Gambling Act (KOA), limits licenses to five-year terms—unlike indefinite models in markets such as Malta—allowing the regulator to incorporate supervisory insights at regular intervals.
The regulated Dutch market is projected to generate approximately €1 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, reinforcing the importance of robust oversight.
The revisions come amid ongoing channelisation challenges, with recent estimates suggesting licensed operators currently capture less than 50% of total gambling revenue. Rising tax pressure and product limitations—particularly affecting online casino games—have contributed to continued offshore competition.
By implementing stricter entry and renewal standards, the KSA aims to strengthen player trust, deter illegal operators, and encourage investment in responsible gambling tools, such as duty-of-care monitoring and intervention systems.
For players, the emphasis on exit strategies and reliability safeguards ensures greater protection of deposits and personal data during operator transitions. For licensed operators, the clarified renewal framework enables more predictable compliance planning and long-term investment decisions within the Netherlands gambling market.
Industry stakeholders view the updates as an evolutionary step that aligns Dutch regulation more closely with mature jurisdictions like the UK while maintaining a balance between innovation and consumer protection. As applications open under the new regime, established operators are preparing detailed submissions, signalling continued confidence in the market’s long-term viability despite rising regulatory demands.
Sources: Gambling Insider, iGaming Business
