Kansspelautoriteit Grants First Follow-Up Online Gambling Licences to Eight Operators
The Dutch gambling regulator issued eight follow-up operating licences for online gambling, covering activities from October 2026 to September 2031 under an enhanced assessment process.
Key Takeaways
- The Kansspelautoriteit has awarded eight follow-up online gambling licences, valid from October 2026 to September 2031.
- Licences were not automatically renewed—each operator underwent a new assessment focused on past regulatory breaches.
- All eight operators met the Dutch regulator’s stricter requirements, allowing uninterrupted market activity.
- The assessment included a review of any definitive breaches between 2021 and 2026 and the remedial steps taken.
- The follow-up licence process highlights the Dutch regulator’s emphasis on ongoing compliance for licensees.
The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), regulator for the Netherlands’ online gambling sector, confirmed the award of eight follow-up licences to existing operators. This decision allows the named companies to continue providing online gambling services in the Netherlands from October 2026 through September 2031, pending compliance with updated regulatory requirements.
Transition to Follow-Up Online Gambling Licences in the Netherlands
Online gambling became legally regulated in the Netherlands in October 2021, with the Ksa granting the first set of licences at that time. These initial five-year licences are set to expire at the end of September 2026. The issuance of follow-up licences represents the first renewal cycle under the Dutch online gambling regime, cementing the regulator’s oversight role for another five-year period.
Who Were Awarded the New Dutch Online Gambling Licences?
Each of the following operators received follow-up licences, permitting continued activities on the Dutch market through September 2031:
- TOTO Online B.V. (brands: TOTO, Winnitt)
- Holland Casino N.V. (brand: Holland Casino Online)
- Play North Limited (brand: Kansino)
- FPO Nederland B.V. (brand: FairPlay Casino)
- Bingoal Nederland B.V. (brand: Bingoal)
- Hillside (New Media Malta) Plc (brand: Bet365)
- NSUS Malta Limited (brand: GG Poker)
- Betent B.V. (brand: Betcity)
These operators were among the initial cohort to obtain Dutch online gambling licences in 2021.
Stricter Assessment for Follow-Up Licence Applications
In processing applications for the 2026–2031 permits, the Ksa applied an enhanced review. A key change was the explicit consideration of regulatory breaches that were definitively established over the preceding five years. Applicants were required to explain corrective measures for any such breaches and outline steps taken to prevent their recurrence.
The Ksa scrutinised each submission, issuing specific points of attention to some operators where necessary. All eight, however, met the statutory requirements for continued operation, reaffirming the principle that Dutch licences are not automatically renewed but must be fully reassessed.
“Nieuw bij de aanvragen voor een vervolgvergunning is onder andere dat de Ksa ook nadrukkelijk kijkt naar de overtredingen die in de afgelopen vijf jaar definitief zijn vastgesteld.” — Kansspelautoriteit official statement
The regulator’s approach emphasises ongoing compliance, reflecting the evolution of the regulated market since its inception in 2021.
Implications of the New Licensing Cycle for Dutch Market Stakeholders
Operators holding a follow-up licence may continue their Dutch online gambling offerings uninterrupted for the next five years, if they remain compliant. For B2B providers, platform vendors, and investors, the updated licensing environment signals both the maturity and evolving regulatory expectations of the Dutch market.
The licence cycle coincides with ongoing regulatory developments throughout Europe, as authorities review the suitability and conduct of existing licensees. The Dutch system, with its focus on retrospective compliance checks, may inform practice in other regulated jurisdictions.
What Comes Next: Compliance Obligations and Regulatory Supervision
Under the new five-year term, licensees must continue to meet the standards set by the Ksa, including prompt implementation of any further requirements. The Ksa has communicated that individual points of attention issued to certain licensees should be addressed promptly to avoid compliance risks.
All licensees remain subject to ongoing supervision and may be subject to further scrutiny in view of any breaches arising during the new permit period. The regulator’s explicit expectation is for proactive compliance, reflecting both past performance and responsiveness to regulatory guidance.
Outlook for the Dutch Online Gambling Sector
The follow-up licence process affirms the Ksa’s role in active market monitoring and adaptive regulation. Continuity for the eight awarded operators supports a stable environment for licensed gambling activity, while the more stringent review aims to strengthen consumer protection and standards compliance in the sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the new follow-up Dutch online gambling licences take effect?
The follow-up licences awarded by the Kansspelautoriteit are effective from October 2026 through September 2031, coinciding with the expiry of the initial five-year licences granted in 2021.
Which operators received the first follow-up online gambling licences in the Netherlands?
The eight operators are TOTO Online B.V., Holland Casino N.V., Play North Limited, FPO Nederland B.V., Bingoal Nederland B.V., Hillside (New Media Malta) Plc, NSUS Malta Limited, and Betent B.V.
What new criteria did the Kansspelautoriteit apply in awarding these licences?
The Ksa examined any definitive regulatory breaches from the preceding five years and required applicants to explain remedial actions and future prevention measures before awarding a follow-up licence.
Are Dutch online gambling licences automatically renewed?
No, the Kansspelautoriteit requires a full reassessment of each operator, especially their compliance record, prior to issuing a follow-up licence.
What obligations do operators have under the new five-year Dutch licence?
Operators must address any points of attention specified by the Ksa and comply with all ongoing supervision and requirements established during the permit term.
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About the author
Eleanor Whitfield
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Eleanor Whitfield tracks gambling legislation, licensing decisions, and regulator enforcement across key markets — from the UKGC, MGA, and Germany's GGL to Spain's DGOJ and the state-by-state map in the Americas. The reporting answers three questions precisely: what changed, where, and who it affects, with jurisdictions, effective dates, and penalty figures named exactly as published. Compliance officers and operators read Eleanor Whitfield to know which rulebook moved before their next board meeting.
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