The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has reported a “sharp contraction in online revenues” generated by licences under the Netherlands’ Remote Gambling Act (KOA), signalling a structural shift in market dynamics.
Publishing its Jaarverslag Kansspelautoriteit 2025, the Dutch regulator maintains that the overall gambling market remains stable at approximately €4.3bn (£3.7bn), despite mounting pressure on the online segment.
Estimates based on tax receipts from licensed operators show that online gambling revenues declined by 18.5% year-on-year, with KOA activity falling to an annual baseline of around €1.2bn – broken down as €600m generated per half-year.
The decline follows growth in 2024 and reflects what the KSA describes as a “counter-reaction to curb market expansion”.
The downturn had been anticipated following the implementation of stricter regulatory controls, including a tax increase from 30.5% to 34.2% in January 2025, rising further to 37.8% in 2026.
Alongside fiscal measures, operators have been required to enforce monthly net deposit limits of €700 for adults and €300 for players aged 18–24, significantly reducing the spend of high-value customers.
KSA believes these measures have altered consumer behaviour of the KOA market. While channelisation in terms of players remains high, with around 94% of users gambling with licensed operators, revenue channelisation has weakened.
However, data reveals that legal GGR share fell to approximately 49% in early 2025, with the authority warning that players on the illegal market are “much less well protected”.
Dutch online gambling trade association VNLOK has challenged the interpretation of KSA, stating that headline channelisation figures “do not reflect where the money is going,” and warning that high-value players are increasingly migrating to unlicensed operators.
VNLOK argues that the KSA should not prioritise the channelisation of players, viewing this figure as a” false metric” as 50% of GGR appears to be unaccounted for by KOA licences.
Despite the online contraction, other verticals have offset online declines. The Dutch lottery and land-based gambling (casinos and betting) segment grew by 4.6%, helping stabilise the total market at €4.3bn.
Looking ahead, the KSA’s regulatory focus remains firmly centred on player protection. “The focus point for 2025 was better player protection,” the authority stated, noting that gambling harm extends beyond financial loss to impacts on mental health, relationships and social wellbeing.
As the market adjusts, the KSA will maintain this mandate while awaiting the government’s next legislative phase.
A new Gambling Act is expected to be drafted in late 2025, with consultation in 2026, as policymakers consider stricter advertising bans, higher age limits and tougher enforcement. Rather than an immediate repeal, the KOA regime is set to be reshaped through incremental reforms, signalling a more restrictive future for the Dutch gambling market