Black market gambling in the Netherlands has seen a steady rise following the introduction of strict deposit limits last year.
According to the country’s gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), measures put in place to increase gambling protection have created a worrying knock-on effect.
Last October, the Responsible Gaming Policy and Gambling Limits Regulation in the Netherlands was rolled out to promote safer gambling habits.
It included a net deposit limit of €700 (€300 for young adults aged 18-25) and mandatory contact from online casinos to new customers, ensuring players understood the risks of gambling.
If bettors want to exceed that limit, they need to provide proof of sufficient income – and those with limits set above the thresholds will see pop-ups explaining risks and encouraging them to reconsider.
KSA Confirms Search Volume For Top 100 Black Market Gambling Sites Has Increased
KSA admitted there is a likelihood some players are gambling large amounts with black market operators due to the restrictions imposed last autumn.
The regulator’s report confirmed a rise in the number of people searching for the top 100 black market gambling websites in the Netherlands, indicating a growth of the grey market.
However, despite that concern, KSA argued 93% of players are still gambling with licensed online casinos in the Netherlands – slightly below the 95% figure stated shortly after the new legislation was launched.
In October 2024, traffic to black market domains stood at 172,576 – increasing to 294,255 in November, 412,997 in February 2025 and the latest number from March broke the one million barrier.
Legislation Proves Somewhat Effective As Monthly Gambling Losses Fall By 31%
Even though the new measures are driving some players towards the black market, there are a few positives to take from it as average monthly gambling losses in the Netherlands fell by 31%.
The average monthly loss per consumer decreased from €116 to €80 in the eight months since new laws were established. Before the changes, the number of players losing more than €1,000 a month stood at 4% – now down to 1%.
KSA believes these numbers are proof that the legislation has reduced the amount of ‘excessive’ gambling with regulated online casinos.
Joe Lyons is a betting industry writer for GamblingIndustryNews with years of experience on reputable gambling websites. Joe specialises in long form content in the world of sports betting and gambling. Joe is recognised as an expert in sports fields such as horse racing, soccer, NFL and NBA.
