The Netherlands’ regulated iGaming market is approaching its five-year anniversary, with several major operators confirming licence renewals ahead of the first permits expiring on October 1, 2026.
The Dutch market launched in October 2021, and the first five-year licences will now enter the renewal cycle. Following the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) announcement that state-owned Holland Casino had secured a renewed licence, other major operators have also confirmed their renewals.
Major Operators Secure Licence Renewals
Bingoal and TOTO Online, operated by Nederlandse Loterij, have both secured new five-year licences starting October 1. Meanwhile, licences held by major operators including BetCity, bet365, Kansino, and Fair Play will also expire on the same date.
However, operators that entered the Dutch market later have different renewal deadlines. Jacks.nl faces expiry on November 20, while FDJ United’s Unibet has until June 8, 2027. Unibet entered the regulated market later because the Netherlands required operators with previous grey-market activity to observe a mandatory cooling-off period.
OneCasino’s licence runs until October 5, 2027.
Dutch Market Tightens Gambling Regulations
The Dutch iGaming market has undergone significant regulatory changes since its launch. In July 2022, the Netherlands banned gambling advertising featuring role models, including celebrities, influencers, and well-known athletes.
The government expanded restrictions the following year by banning untargeted gambling advertising. More recently, authorities introduced a ban on sports sponsorships. These measures aim to reduce gambling exposure among young people and protect vulnerable and problem gamblers.
The KSA continues to enforce these rules. Last week, the regulator criticised BetCity and TOTO Winkel for allegedly breaching the country’s restrictions on using role models in gambling advertising.
Higher Gambling Tax Adds Pressure
Taxation has also become a major issue for operators. The Netherlands increased its gross gaming revenue (GGR) tax rate from 30.5% to 34.2% in January 2025, before raising it again to 37.8% in January 2026.
Both operators and the KSA have expressed concerns about the higher tax burden. Notably, gambling tax revenue declined after the first increase, raising questions about whether further tax hikes could affect market performance.
As the Dutch regulated market enters its next five-year phase, licence renewals, stricter advertising rules, and rising taxation will remain key factors shaping the operating environment for iGaming companies.
