The Netherlands began mass relicensing of online gambling five years after opening the market

The Netherlands has entered a new stage of regulation as online gaming operators begin renewing the licences they received when the regulated market opened in October 2021.

The first batch of five-year licences will expire on September 30, 2026. Holland Casino, Bingoal and TOTO Online have already secured new licences, allowing them to continue operating in the Dutch market for another five years.

The renewal process is now becoming an important test for the sector, as operators that entered the regulated market at its launch face a fresh assessment of their compliance with the latest requirements.

Operators face a new KSA assessment

Licence renewal in the Netherlands is not automatic. Operators must submit a new application to the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the country’s gaming regulator, before they can continue their activities after their existing licence expires.

The requirements have also become more demanding since the market first opened. From 2026, applicants must provide more detailed information about how they will notify the regulator of changes to their business activities. 

The legislation is constantly changing. For example, there are currently many proposals under consideration. These include measures to tighten the rules around user spending. New deposit limits could make it more difficult to spend large amounts. Lawmakers are also considering stronger affordability checks. These checks would be carried out by operators and would help ensure that players do not spend more than they can afford.

Operators must also have an exit plan prepared in advance. This is intended to ensure that customers and other parties are not left without clear arrangements if an operator eventually decides to stop operating in the Netherlands.

A major test for the regulated market

For operators, the process represents much more than a routine licence extension. Companies that have been active in the Netherlands for the past five years must now demonstrate that their operations continue to meet the KSA’s current standards.

The licences of several other operators are due to expire in late September or later in autumn, meaning more renewal decisions are expected in the coming months.

The process will therefore provide an early indication of how the Dutch market is adapting to stricter regulatory requirements five years after the launch of its regulated online gaming sector.