Dutch MPs across much of the political spectrum have agreed that illegal gambling requires faster enforcement. During a three-hour Gambling Committee debate, lawmakers also discussed advertising, player protection, licensing limits and whether the minimum gambling age should rise from 18 to 21.
State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen made tackling the illegal market a government priority while rejecting calls to reverse the Netherlands’ 2021 online gambling reform. She said the legal market must remain accessible to consumers while authorities strengthen action against unlawful operators.
Illegal Gambling Draws Political Agreement
MPs called for stronger powers for the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), including measures targeting payment providers, affiliates and social media platforms that facilitate illegal gambling.
Van Bruggen said the cabinet is preparing legislation for DNS blocking of illegal websites, with consultation planned for early 2027. The government is also examining clearer rules for determining when companies facilitate unlawful gambling.
Social media advertising received particular attention. Van Bruggen said: “Meta, especially as one of the parties, but also Google, is really open to this conversation.”
The government plans to receive reports every six months on illegal gambling advertising on these platforms and wants the issue addressed at EU level through the Digital Services Act. VVD MP Bart Bikkers called for stronger action, while Van Bruggen described the approach from Meta and Google as “no mercy”.
Van Bruggen also said Apple and Google had removed illegal gambling apps following KSA reports, with 39 apps reported between June and August.
Gambling Age Remains Disputed
Several MPs supported raising the gambling age to 21, particularly for higher-risk gambling. ChristenUnie MP Mirjam Bikker and CDA MP Tijs van den Brink pressed Van Bruggen to reconsider the current age of 18.
Van Bruggen said she first needs evidence that an increase would reduce gambling harm rather than push 18- to 20-year-olds toward illegal providers. Future progress reports will continue to assess the issue.
Bikker also demanded faster action against illegal operators, while SGP MP Diederik van Dijk called for reversing the 2021 legalisation of online gambling. He also supported a complete gambling advertising ban covering lotteries and land-based casinos.
Van Bruggen rejected a return to prohibition, arguing that demand for online gambling would remain and could move outside Dutch supervision.
Parties Divided Over Regulation
D66 MP Joost Sneller warned that excessive restrictions on licensed operators could push consumers toward websites without Dutch supervision. The VVD similarly argued that policymakers should assess whether new measures achieve their intended effects.
SP MP Sarah Dobbe called for stronger sanctions, faster website blocking and tighter advertising restrictions. The government is investigating whether existing maximum fines are sufficiently deterrent and is examining restrictions on gambling with borrowed money.
Despite disagreements over legal gambling, MPs broadly supported stronger action against illegal operators.
The next stages include a parliamentary follow-up debate, progress reports and legislative work on blocking illegal foreign websites. October 1, 2026 will also mark the expiry of the first five-year online gambling licences issued when the Dutch market opened.
Source:
“Dutch parliament united on black market enforcement, government pledges open dialogue with Meta and Google”, igamingbusiness.com, September 7, 2026
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