The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has issued the initial eight follow-up licences to online gambling companies, enabling them to operate in the Netherlands for an additional five years.
These licences will be valid from October 2026 until September 2031. The original licences, which were granted when online gambling was legalized in the Netherlands in 2021, will expire at the end of September 2026.
The eight companies receiving these follow-up licences include TOTO Online BV, which runs TOTO and Winnitt; Holland Casino NV, operating Holland Casino Online; Play North Limited, which manages Kansino; FPO Nederland BV, overseeing FairPlay Casino; Bingoal Nederland BV, responsible for Bingoal; Hillside (New Media Malta) Plc, operating Bet365; NSUS Malta Limited, which runs GG Poker; and Betent BV, managing Betcity.
Initially, the 2021 licensing round included ten operators. However, LiveScore Bet and Tombola exited the Dutch market in 2024, leaving the eight operators that have now received follow-up licences.
The KSA has adopted a more detailed and stringent renewal process compared to the 2021 licensing round, following new policy guidelines established by the regulator in September 2025.
One significant change pertains to licensees that encountered compliance issues in the past five years. Operators who made errors during this period are required to explain how they have learned from these mistakes and what measures they will implement to avoid similar issues in the future. If the KSA finds the explanation lacking, it may refuse the licence or impose additional conditions.
This requirement has raised concerns among operators regarding the potential increase in entry barriers. However, during a policy meeting last year, the regulator reassured licensees that it was not imposing a rigid rule on this matter.
During the discussion with iGB, Bjorn Fuchs, Chairman of VNLOK Fuchs, noted that there was a collective “sigh of relief” when the new approach was revealed. He mentioned that operators with a clean compliance record would still need to fulfill specific requirements but could provide declarations affirming their compliance across various areas.
As part of the renewal process, applicants had to detail the corrective actions they took to address previous violations and outline measures to prevent future infractions. Additionally, all submissions were required to include an exit plan, a new obligation applicable to all operators.
This exit plan mandates that operators articulate how they would responsibly cease operations if their licence is not renewed, revoked, or if they choose to exit the market during the five-year renewal period.
The KSA indicated that several operators received “additional points for attention,” signifying that while these applicants met the minimum legal requirements, the regulator expects ongoing enhancements in compliance practices.
In June, TOTO Online was reported for breaching the ban on featuring role models in its advertising. The platform was also fined in 2022 for a similar issue related to gambling advertisements that appeared to target younger audiences.