The Netherlands’ gambling watchdog is tightening the screws on illegal offerings while warning politicians not to hand the black market an easy win.
Polymarket told to stop serving Dutch customers
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has ordered Polymarket to immediately stop offering its prediction markets in the Netherlands, saying the product falls under illegal games of chance under the Remote Gambling Act. The order targets Adventure One QSS, the entity trading as Polymarket.
If the platform doesn’t pull out, it faces a weekly penalty of €420,000, capped at €840,000. The KSA also flagged that a separate fine tied to turnover could still arrive later, depending on how long any non-compliance lasts.
KSA: “No license means no play”
KSA director of licensing and supervision Ella Seijsener said prediction markets are spreading fast, including among Dutch users, but don’t fit inside the legal framework, even for licensed operators. She also pointed to broader societal risks, such as the potential to sway elections, before landing on the regulator’s bottom line: if you don’t hold a KSA license, you shouldn’t be taking Dutch bets.
Elections betting put Polymarket under the microscope
The action follows months of increased attention as Polymarket picked up momentum in the Netherlands, helped by heavy wagering interest around the October 2025 Dutch parliamentary elections.
Polymarket has tried to frame its offering as an “information” product rather than gambling. The KSA rejected that pitch, saying any platform where users stake money on an uncertain outcome for a prize meets the legal definition of a game of chance.
More heat abroad for Polymarket
The Dutch crackdown adds to Polymarket’s growing regulatory headaches. The platform has reportedly faced cease-and-desist actions in multiple US states, including Tennessee and Nevada, and it’s also dealing with a class-action lawsuit in New York that alleges it operates like an unlicensed sportsbook.
The KSA said it previously attempted to resolve the issue through contact with the operator, but claimed “no visible changes occurred,” leading to the penalty-backed order.
KSA chair: a blanket ad ban could boost illegal sites
Separately, KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen cautioned that a proposed total ban on online gambling advertising could end up strengthening illegal operators rather than protecting consumers.
Responding to proposals in the new coalition agreement, Groothuizen said the regulator backs the headline goals: stronger player protection, tighter duty-of-care expectations for licensees, and tougher action against illegal websites. Where he draws the line is a full advertising ban and the idea of capping the number of licenses.
He acknowledged why politicians (and the public) get irritated, joking that gambling can be “bling-bling” and the marketing has sometimes been loud and pushy. Still, he argued that legal advertising has already been reduced across TV, sport, and other public spaces, while supervision has tightened and excesses in the regulated market have eased.
Social media is the real battleground
Groothuizen pointed at social platforms as the new pressure point. He said Facebook and Instagram alone carry more than 60,000 gambling ads aimed at Dutch users each month, with fewer than 2,000 coming from licensed providers. In other words, most of the noise players see online is already coming from the unlicensed side.
His concern: ban licensed ads completely, and players lose the easiest way to tell who’s legal. Meanwhile, illegal brands that don’t care about Dutch rules keep flooding timelines and search results.
License caps “solve” the wrong problem
On limiting license numbers, Groothuizen questioned both the legal logic and the practical payoff. The Netherlands has around 30 licensed online operators, plus hundreds of land-based venues, with certain high-risk games reserved for Holland Casino under a monopoly setup. If applicants meet the legal requirements, he argued, there’s no clear evidence that forcing fewer operators would reduce advertising or stop people from playing.
New vice chair joins KSA board on March 1
The regulator is also reshaping its leadership. The KSA has appointed Carol Verheij as vice chair, effective March 1, replacing Bernadette van Buchem. Verheij currently serves as Secretary-Director of the Dutch Safety Board and will join the KSA’s Board of Directors on the same date.
Verheij brings close to 17 years across Dutch government regulatory and administrative roles, including General Director of Justis and acting General Director of the Child Protection Council under the Ministry of Justice and Security. She said she aims to improve safety for Dutch gamblers, especially young people, while stressing that the cross-border nature of online gambling adds a fresh layer of responsibility.
Her background includes a Master’s in Legal Studies from Maastricht University (focused on Dutch, European and international law) and an MBA from the University of Antwerp. Groothuizen said her experience should sharpen the KSA’s focus on legal frameworks, governance, integrity, and compliance as the regulator adapts to a fast-changing market.
