Licensed online gambling operators in the Netherlands generated €670 million in gross gaming revenue during the first half of 2026, an increase of approximately 11% from the preceding six months. However, new figures published on October 29 suggest the recovery came without a significant increase in the number of players.
The Kansspelautoriteit, the Dutch gambling regulator, measures this revenue as stakes minus prizes paid out, including bonus activity. It represents the amount retained before taxes and operating costs, rather than the total money wagered.
More Accounts Are Being Used by a Similar Number of People
Licensed operators recorded an average of 1.48 million active accounts per month, up from 1.38 million in the second half of 2025. The estimated number of individual monthly players remained broadly stable at approximately 490,000.
Those figures measure different things. One person can use accounts at several operators, so an increase in active accounts does not automatically indicate that more people have started gambling.
The regulator identified the men’s World Cup, which began in June, as a possible contributor to account growth. It also suggested that some customers may be using additional accounts to get around deposit limits applied by individual providers. That remains a possible explanation rather than a confirmed motive for every new account.
Sports Betting Increased Faster Than Casino Revenue
Sports betting revenue rose from approximately €120 million to €163 million between the two reporting periods, an increase of about 36%. Casino games played against the operator, including slots, blackjack and roulette, grew more slowly.
| Licensed online segment | July–December 2025 | January–June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Casino games against the operator | €470 million | €492 million |
| Sports betting, excluding horse racing | €120 million | €163 million |
| Total online market | €602 million | €670 million |
The total also includes smaller categories such as poker, bingo and horse racing bets. The Ksa said the World Cup may help explain the stronger sports betting figures, while noting that results from a small number of matches can significantly affect sportsbook revenue.
Legal Sites Reach Most Players but Capture Less of the Money
The Ksa estimates that approximately 94% of online players use licensed providers exclusively. Yet legal operators accounted for an estimated 59% of total online gambling revenue, up from 54% in the previous half.
The gap suggests that the smaller group using unlicensed websites loses considerably more money on average. It also shows why player numbers alone cannot describe the size of the illegal market.
The regulator cautions that illegal-market figures are estimates. Licensed operators supply detailed records, while activity outside the regulated system must be assessed using other data sources, making those comparisons less precise.
