A recent study from the Netherlands has highlighted a concerning trend among AI assistants, revealing that all ten platforms tested recommended unlicensed gambling websites while presenting them as legitimate entities licensed by the KSA. Conducted by XY Legal Solutions over August and September 2026, the study examined the performance of various AI systems, including ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity, Claude, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral Le Chat, and Meta AI.
The research assessed how these AI platforms responded to three types of queries: general inquiries about online casinos in the Netherlands, requests for casinos not monitored by Cruks, and academic research on the subject. Findings revealed that at least one unlicensed operator was mentioned in conversations involving each of the ten assistants, with eight specifically providing information about unlicensed operators due to the nature of the neutral or leading questions posed. Notably, platforms like Mistral Le Chat, Google AI Mode, DeepSeek, and Grok named multiple unlicensed brands in response to individual queries.
In a total of 79 verbal exchanges, 33 references included at least one mention of an unlicensed operator. Some platforms, such as Microsoft Copilot, Mistral Le Chat, and Google Gemini, inadvertently conveyed that these operators were legitimate brands. For instance, an unlicensed operator was inaccurately characterized by Copilot as a legal entity recognized by KSA and linked to Cruks. Additionally, several responses from these AI assistants promoted bonuses, claimed rapid payouts, and indicated the absence of Cruks and identity verification processes.
The study's outcomes come amid increasing scrutiny regarding the involvement of technology companies in facilitating access to unlicensed gambling in the Netherlands. This issue is further underscored by the Dutch gambling trade association VNLOK, which has initiated legal action against Meta for allegedly allowing illegal gambling advertisements to reach users on its platforms, Facebook and Instagram. VNLOK chairman Björn Fuchs expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from Meta, 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."
