The Dutch gambling regulator, KSA, has released its annual report for 2025, revealing significant insights into the online gambling landscape.
Market Volume and Segment Shares:
- β¬4.3 billion β total legal gambling market (no change YoY)
- β¬617 million (KSA estimate) and β¬600 million β illegal and legal online segments for H1 2025
- 51% to 49% β share of the legal segment in GGR from the end of 2024 to the beginning of 2025
- 94% β share of players exclusively with legal operators
Operator Fines in 2025:
- β¬8.6 million β 5 fines for legal operators for violating player protection requirements (β¬800,000 for 2 fines in 2024)
- β¬31.2 million β 4 fines for illegal operators (β¬4.1 million in 2024), including 2 at a base rate of β¬600,000 and 2 based on estimated GGR using KSA's new Google search volume methodology
- 10% β legislative cap on fines from the operator's global GGR, with KSA discussing increases with the Ministry of Justice
Self-Exclusion Registry Cruks in 2025:
- From 85,000 to 109,000 β registrations over the year
- 380 β notifications from operators for mandatory player registration in Cruks (97 in 2024)
- 17% to 29% and 41% to 50% β increase in awareness of the Gokstop campaign among frequent and problem players
Ban on Sports Sponsorship by Online Operators:
As of July 1, 2025, there will be a complete ban on sports sponsorship as the final element of the ban on non-targeted gambling advertising. Following the introduction of the ban, KSA did not record any gross violations by operators.
KSA Disconnect Program Against Illegal Operators (launched in 2025):
- 4 areas β marketing, B2B, payments, internet
- Since August 2025, there has been virtually no advertising for illegal casinos on Google, according to KSA
- Over 50,000 advertisements from illegal operators on social media monthly, with 800 complaints to KSA (219 in 2024)
- 4 influencers received warnings under threat of fines for playing with illegal operators and promoting them
- Together with SiDN (administrator of the .nl zone), KSA made part of the illegal affiliates in .nl inaccessible
Regulator's Finances in 2025:
- β¬11.1 million β financial result for the year
- β¬20.3 million β regulatory fee from online operators against a plan of β¬27.7 million
- KSA attributes the decrease to new limits and an increase in gambling taxes
Judicial Events of 2025:
- On November 28, the Attorney General at the Supreme Court, Lindenberg, stated that contracts with unlicensed operators are not invalid solely due to the lack of a license, and the return of losses as unjust enrichment is not available. The conclusion is advisory.
- On December 9, hearings were held in the State Council regarding the appeal in the case of monopoly licenses, with a decision expected in 2026.
KSA acknowledges that new player protection rules may have pushed some audience towards illegal operators, reducing the share of the legal segment in GGR.
KSA is intensifying the fight against the infrastructure of illegal operators through the Disconnect program and is discussing amendments with the Ministry of Justice to allow fines exceeding 10% of the operator's global GGR.