The Dutch Regulator Extends Licenses of 8 Online Operators

The Dutch online gambling market is preparing for its first major license turnover since regulation began, with eight existing operators approved to stay in the country beyond September 2026.

The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) confirmed the decisions on September 17, giving the companies authorization for the period from October 2026 through September 2031. The move comes as the first licenses issued under the Netherlands' regulated online gambling system approach their five-year expiry date.

The license renewals had already been reported earlier, with several operators understood to have secured new five-year permits. At the time, however, the full list of approved operators had not yet been officially confirmed.

The approved companies 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.

They are behind TOTO and Winnitt, Holland Casino Online, Kansino, FairPlay Casino, Bingoal, Bet365, GG Poker and Betcity.

What changes for existing operators

The renewal decisions give the eight companies another five years in the Dutch market, but the process was not simply an administrative extension of their original permits.

When the Netherlands opened its legal online gambling market in October 2021, licenses were issued for a maximum of five years. The first batch will expire at the end of September, so operators already established in the country have now had to demonstrate that they still satisfy the regulator's requirements.

This also gave the Ksa something it did not have when the original licenses were assessed: several years of actual supervisory history.

The regulator specifically examined definitive violations recorded during the previous five years. Applicants had to provide information about how they dealt with those issues and what they had changed to reduce the risk of similar breaches happening again.

The Ksa said some of the applicants were given additional points for attention during the assessment. It did not name the companies involved. All eight, however, were ultimately considered eligible for a new license.

Renewal rules were updated before applications

The first license cycle is ending under a revised regulatory framework. The Ksa changed its remote gambling licensing policy from January 1, 2026, partly in preparation for the follow-up licensing round.

One of the new requirements concerns major changes to an operator's business or policies. Applicants must explain how they will keep the regulator informed about such developments.

There is also a new exit-plan requirement. Operators have to set out how they would wind down their gambling activities if their license comes to an end. The updated rules also provide for renewed assessments of areas such as addiction-prevention and advertising policies for existing operators applying for a follow-up license.

The eight decisions therefore mark the start of a new phase rather than the end of the Dutch licensing process. Other companies holding the original five-year permits will reach their renewal point as the current licensing cycle comes to a close.