The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has raised concerns about the growing size of illegal online gambling in the Netherlands. In its recent autumn report, the authority shared findings from its research covering the past six months of the online gambling market.

The report confirms that more money is being directed to illegal operators while the number of players using legal gambling platforms has stayed mostly the same. The regulator says this trend is alarming and may need closer attention in the future.

Revenue Drops After New Deposit Limits

According to the KSA, the total Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for the first half of 2025 was 600 million euros, or about 694 million dollars. This is a drop from 697 million euros in the previous six months. The decline is as a result of the deposit limits introduced for online gambling, which appear to have slowed down how much money players are spending.

Despite the drop in revenue, the number of players on regulated platforms has not reduced. Some experts suggest that the limit in spending may have led players to open accounts on multiple sites, which could explain the rise in new accounts reported by operators.

More People Gambling Online

The KSA estimates that 5.7 percent of the adult population in the Netherlands gambled online during the monitoring period. This is a small increase from 5.4 percent in the previous period. The regulator used research and estimates to figure out how many new accounts were actually new and how many belonged to people already gambling online.

The report also looked at how much players are losing each month. Average losses per player dropped from 146 euros at the end of 2024 to 119 euros now. Young players, aged 18 to 24, tend to lose less, with an average loss of 37 euros per month. Even so, this age group makes up about 23 percent of all accounts in use.

New Rules for Online Gambling Operators

The KSA says there will be future new rules for operators applying for an online gambling license. From the start of 2026, applicants will need to submit an exit plan. This plan must show how the operator would leave the market if their license is not renewed in the future.

The regulator believes these measures, along with the deposit limits, have helped reduce player losses and has kept gambling safer for Dutch citizens. However, the rise in illegal gambling remains a concern, and the authority says it will continue monitoring the market closely.

The report highlights that while regulated online gambling is controlled and safer, players must be careful not to engage illegal websites. The KSA encourages players to use only licensed operators to protect themselves and their money.