The Dutch regulated gambling market is currently navigating a period of deceptive stability. While high-level metrics suggest a static environment, an underlying shift in player behavior is creating significant challenges for the national regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).
Recent data reveals that despite a plateau in regulated revenue, the legal market’s share is steadily eroding in favor of unlicensed offshore alternatives.
The Slip in Channelization
Throughout the second half of 2025, the number of licensed operators remained steady, and overall player activity appeared flat. However, the legal market’s grip on total gambling revenue has loosened. At the start of 2025, licensed providers handled 56% of all wagering; that figure has now declined to 53%.
This three-point shift indicates that nearly half of all gambling spend in the Netherlands is now bypasses the regulated system, moving into a “grey zone” where consumer protections are non-existent.
Player Adaptation to Regulatory Friction
The introduction of stricter deposit limits and tougher advertising rules was intended to mitigate harm. In some respects, the policy is succeeding: average monthly losses dropped to €120 in late 2025. Yet, many players are not reducing their play but are instead adapting to circumvent restrictions.
Trends show that users are increasingly maintaining accounts with multiple licensed operators to bypass site-specific limits. More concerningly, a growing segment is migrating to unlicensed sites that offer higher limits, no mandatory checks, and cryptocurrency payment options.
Regulatory Crossroads
The KSA is now weighing a transition toward nationwide deposit limits, a central cap that would apply across all licensed sites simultaneously. While this could close current loopholes, industry analysts warn it may backfire by driving even more players toward the illegal market.
KSA leadership remains committed to maintaining high standards, particularly for the 18-24 demographic, which accounts for a disproportionate number of online accounts. As the regulator increases funding for addiction support and prevention, the primary challenge remains finding a “goldilocks zone” where regulation is strict enough to protect but flexible enough to keep the Dutch regulated market within the legal perimeter.
