The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) recently revealed that it will initiate the application process for a single statutory totalisator licence in January 2027. This licence allows one operator exclusive rights to offer land-based pool betting on horse racing events in the Netherlands, valid from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2032.
Under existing Dutch regulations, the totalisator licence is structured as a monopoly. The KSA permits only one operator to facilitate pool betting services on horse and trotting race results at racetracks and physical betting locations across the nation. Online betting on horse races falls outside this licensing arrangement, being managed under a separate framework defined by the 2021 Gambling Act.
Currently, ZEbetting & Gaming Nederland holds the existing licence, which is set to expire on June 30, 2027. The KSA has assured that the upcoming application process will be both transparent and competitive. Information regarding the submission process and application forms is expected to be made available on the KSA website by December 2026.
The application window will officially open on January 4, 2027, and will close on January 31, 2027. Prospective applicants must submit a non-refundable processing fee of 40,900 euros (approximately 45,567 dollars) upon application.
The tender process will unfold in two stages. The initial assessment will see the KSA review submissions based on statutory and public interest criteria. This will encompass areas such as corporate structure, operational continuity, supervisory mechanisms, integrity and reliability, outsourcing practices, and incident-response management. Key responsibilities also include implementing strategies to combat excessive gambling, addiction, and underage betting.
A notable requirement for applicants is to demonstrate experience in offering offline sports betting services, underscoring the necessity for operational competence. Furthermore, strategies for preventing match-fixing must also be outlined, highlighting the regulator’s commitment to integrity.
If multiple applicants clear the first stage, a lottery draw will take place to determine the successful candidate. This draw will be conducted under notarial supervision to ensure fairness.
The winning operator will be obliged to provide financial support to the equestrian sector, directing 10% of their monthly gross gaming revenue from Dutch horse and trotting race bets towards assisting the sport and its infrastructure.
ZEbetting & Gaming, a part of the French Zebet/Zeturf group, is also engaged in markets across France, Belgium, and Malta. The last renewal of its totalisator licence occurred in 2022 following the KSA’s previous awarding process. The new tender reflects some changes over the last four years; notably, the processing fee has grown by 27.8%, increasing from 32,000 euros.
