The Dutch online casino laws

The world of iGaming has exploded in recent years, with the improvement in technology leading to an increase in sports betting, game choices and a plethora of different formats of online play, especially when it comes to online casinos and the type of games that players can choose from. One other reason there has been an increase in iGaming potential in recent years is the loosening of online gambling restrictions across different regions in the world, and a good example of this is the legalisation of online gambling in the Netherlands.

What exactly are the Dutch online casino laws and how have they changed to help build a wider audience in a country that loves gambling and sport in general? 

Change in gambling regulations in the Netherlands

Online gambling laws only changed in the Netherlands as recently as 2021, with online gambling legalised in October of that year. For a long time, the Netherlands has been known as a country where gambling was popular, but this change in law has really opened up the possibilities of gambling like never before.

Online gambling was legalised in this time, creating a whole host of new online casinos in the Netherlands that could exist legally and provide Dutch players with the chance to play (and win) in a safe and secure manner, whilst having fun. This changed the dynamic to previous generations of gamblers in the country who would be required to use a VPN or use illegal online casinos and gambling sites to gamble. 

What are the rules that Dutch online casinos must follow?

To be active as an online casino in the Netherlands, a company must first obtain a Dutch licence. This is provided by the Dutch Gambling Authority. This is the case even if a company does not have a headquarters in the Netherlands. What this means is that for a legitimate online casino operator that has a track record of providing a legal platform for online casino games to players in a different country, there should not be too much of an issue with gaining a license to operate in the Netherlands and to cater towards a Dutch audience. 

What is the Dutch Gambling Authority?

The Netherlands Gambling Association (NGA) is in charge of regulations relating to both online and land-based gambling in the country, with the following areas taken control of:

• Casinos – for both land-based and online casinos, the NGA ensures that casinos provide a safe space for players, where responsible gambling is seen as a key ethos and players are looked after at every stage of the interaction. The NGA covers online casino games such as blackjack, slots (which are known as Gokkasten in the Netherlands and are loved by all, and a whole host of table games).
• Sports betting – Dutch people LOVE sport. The global sports audience is used to seeing a sea of fans clad in orange at World Cups and Euros in football, and across the world at racetracks supporting Max Verstappen in Formula One, so it makes sense that sports betting is a popular pastime in the country. The NGA licences online sports betting companies, and even those that offer fantasy betting.
• Poker – classified in a different category to casino table games and slots, poker is ruled by the NGA, ensuring that poker games that are offered in the country are always fully licensed and legitimate.
• Bingo – another popular game in the Netherlands, bingo is commonly found around the world. The NGA looks after fairness and integrity for bingo providers at both physical locations and online.
• Lottery – the land-based lottery is regulated by the NGA, but online lotteries are still banned in the Netherlands, which means that the game can only be played in person, by purchasing a physical lottery ticket. 

How are casino games defined?

A definition of what constitutes a casino game is required. They are seen as games of luck and chance rather than games of skill, but there are some games that require strategy and some skill. However, a skill game is defined as one where a winner is guaranteed prize money if their skills are displayed, which is not the case for any online casino games, which always relies on a certain element of luck, no matter the strategy employed or the experience of the player.

Player deposits

A new change in the online casino laws in the Netherlands relates to player deposits and is aimed at helping prevent gambling problems. Players must set personal deposit limits but can only push the threshold beyond 700 Euro (£583/$777) per calendar month, or 300 Euro for players aged between 18 and 25, if they share proof of income.

The iGaming landscape continues to develop and there is a lot of fun to be had for Dutch players at online casinos and placing bets on sporting events, but it is also only correct that players are looked after and that there is some sort of threshold in place that supports the safety of players and promotes responsible gambling.