The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has announced plans to open the application period for a monopoly totalisator license in January 2027. This license allows a single operator exclusive rights to conduct land-based pool betting on horse racing events across the Netherlands for five years, starting from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2032.
Operating under a monopoly structure, the totalisator license is restricted to just one operator permitted to provide pool betting services related to horse and trotting race results at racetracks and physical betting locations nationwide. Notably, this licensing framework does not cover online horse racing betting, which falls under a different regulation set by the 2021 Gambling Act.
Currently, ZEbetting & Gaming Nederland holds the license, which is set to expire on June 30, 2027. KSA has pledged that the upcoming application process will be transparent and competitive, with submission details and the application form scheduled to be available on the KSA website by December 2026.
The application window will officially be open from January 4, 2027, to January 31, 2027. Applicants will need to pay a non-refundable processing fee of €40,900 ($45,567).
The tendering process consists of two stages. The first stage involves KSA evaluating submissions based on statutory and public interest criteria, which include corporate structure, operational continuity, and internal supervision. The evaluation will also address integrity, reliability, outsourcing policies, and incident-response management.
Among the key responsibilities mandated is the necessity to implement measures that prevent excessive gambling, addiction, and underage betting. Applicants must demonstrate experience in providing offline sports betting services, underscoring the importance of established operational capabilities. Strategies against match-fixing must also be outlined, as integrity remains a significant focus for the regulator.
The second stage involves a lottery draw. If multiple applicants pass the initial assessment, the selection of the successful bidder will occur through an unweighted lottery supervised by a notary to ensure fairness.
Additionally, the license requires operators to financially support the equestrian sector, mandating that 10% of their monthly gross gaming revenue from Dutch horse and trotting race bets be allocated to this purpose.
ZEbetting & Gaming, part of the French Zebet/Zeturf group, currently operates in France, Belgium, and Malta. The company had its totalisator license renewed in 2022 during the last awarding procedure. While the application criteria have remained largely consistent over the past four years, the processing fee has seen a significant increase of 27.8% from its previous amount of €32,000.
