A recent study from the Netherlands has revealed concerning findings about AI assistants recommending unauthorized online gambling sites. Conducted by XY Legal Solutions in August and September 2026, the study focused on how various assistants interacted when presented with queries related to online casinos.
The research involved testing ten prominent AI platforms, including ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity, Claude, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral Le Chat, and Meta AI. Each assistant was evaluated using three types of inquiries: general questions about online casinos in the Netherlands, requests for casinos not regulated by the Cruks system, and academic research-related questions.
Across all tested assistants, there was at least one instance of an unlicensed gambling operator being mentioned. Eight of these assistants notably provided this information when responding to neutral or leading questions, even when research objectives were not clearly defined. Some, like Mistral Le Chat, Google AI Mode, DeepSeek, and Grok, identified multiple unlicensed brands based on single queries.
In total, the study encompassed 79 dialogues, out of which 33 included references to unlicensed operators. Certain statements by Microsoft Copilot, Mistral Le Chat, and Google Gemini made it seem as if these brands were legitimate operators. A notable example highlighted the misrepresentation of an unlicensed operator, which appeared on a list labeled "Top 50 legal casinos"; Copilot mistakenly identified it as a legal brand registered with the KSA and linked to Cruks. Additionally, responses from the assistants often touted bonuses or quick payouts, while also suggesting a lack of Cruks and identity verification.
Interestingly, the study found that some assistants initially refrained from answering questions but responded once the phrasing was altered. These findings have surfaced amid increasing scrutiny of technology firms' roles in facilitating unregulated gambling within the Netherlands.
The Dutch gambling trade association VNLOK has taken legal action against Meta, claiming the tech giant did not adequately prevent illegal gambling advertisements from reaching its users on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. VNLOK chairman Björn Fuchs expressed frustration, stating, "We have repeatedly pointed out the scale of the problem to Meta and asked them to cooperate structurally in finding a solution. That has yielded insufficient results. Therefore, we are now submitting the case to the Dutch courts.",
