Dutch Gambling Authority Targets ‘Big Tech’ Over Illegal Advertising and Collection Hurdles
Five years following the formal legalization of the Dutch online gambling market, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) Chairman Michel Groothuizen has addressed the persistent scale of the unregulated sector. While comprehensive studies indicate that approximately 90 per cent of Dutch online gamblers engage exclusively with licensed operators, Groothuizen noted that the illicit market has by no means disappeared, estimating that for every euro wagered legally, another finds its way into the illegal circuit.
Enforcement against unlawful operators remains a top regulatory priority, though the KSA chief described collection hurdles as particularly frustrating. Despite issuing substantial fines to signal compliance boundaries, enforcement effectiveness regarding financial recovery remains limited. Consequently, the regulator has shifted its strategic focus over the past year and a half toward frustrating illegal operations by dismantling visibility and restricting payment gateway access.
A central point of contention involves the role of major technology platforms and Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs). Addressing a parliamentary commission debate, Groothuizen examined proposals to fine Big Tech for hosting advertisements from unlicensed operators. While acknowledging that these platforms generate billions in global revenue from illicit gambling ads making voluntary withdrawal contrary to their commercial models the KSA is pursuing cooperative frameworks.
Notably, European regulators have established a joint task force collaborating directly with Google to develop an official whitelist of licensed operators across the EU. Under this mechanism, any operator outside the whitelist can be proactively blocked, aiming to shut down major advertising channels. However, Groothuizen emphasized that if voluntary compliance and cooperation with Big Tech prove insufficient, legal enforcement routes and administrative penalties remain fully available.
