On Monday, the Dutch gambling trade association VNLOK took a significant step by officially summoning Meta to court, alleging that the technology company has permitted illegal gambling advertisements to proliferate among consumers in the Netherlands.
VNLOK, based in The Hague and representing the country's licensed online gambling operators, filed the lawsuit after months of warnings and investigations aimed at Meta. The association claims that over 90% of gambling advertisements on Facebook come from operators that lack a license in the Netherlands.
Despite VNLOK's repeated notifications about the issue, Meta responded by removing only 11% of flagged illegal ads in May and 15% in June.
Previous legal proceedings were initiated against Meta in June this year, where VNLOK asserted that the social media powerhouse had failed to curb the rampant display of illegal online gambling ads targeting Dutch users on Facebook and Instagram. A formal complaint was also filed with the European Commission regarding these practices.
VNLOK chairman, Fuchs, stated, "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."
In its latest statement, VNLOK indicated that this court summons represents "the final step" in their legal efforts against Meta. They are seeking a ruling that holds Meta accountable for its obligations under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates significant online platforms to proactively tackle illegal content.
As part of the DSA, these platforms must implement structural safeguards to prevent illegal gambling ads directed at Dutch consumers. VNLOK reported that in the last quarter of 2025, platforms owned by Meta displayed over 70,000 gambling-related advertisements, with unlicensed operators accounting for over 95% of these ads. However, less than 5% of such advertisements were removed by Meta, according to VNLOK's findings.
The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), corroborated VNLOK's concerns, stating in its 2025 report that it had lodged thousands of complaints each month regarding illegal gambling ads with Meta.
In conjunction with the legal action, parliamentary discussions are progressing in the Netherlands to empower the KSA with the authority to fine digital platforms that do not remove illegal gambling advertisements after receiving multiple notifications. A motion proposed for voting in the House of Representatives tomorrow aims to establish a clear legal framework for imposing sanctions or enforcement orders on these platforms.
Backed by the parliamentary initiative, VNLOK is urging the KSA to take immediate action without awaiting new legislation. Fuchs remarked, "The regulator must hold parties accountable for their role in enabling access to illegal offerings for Dutch consumers. No legislative amendment is needed for this; the regulator already has those legal options."
Fuchs added, "Meta is currently the party we are taking legal action against, but the problem is broader. If an illegal provider is removed from one platform, it often reappears on another. We are in a constant battle to keep up, and all parties in this chain need to accept their responsibility."
During a recent House of Representatives gambling committee debate, open dialogue with Meta and other tech giants was emphasized as crucial for safeguarding players from the growing black market. Lawmakers highlighted the recurring issue of illegal gambling advertisements surfacing on social media, which the Dutch sector has been tackling through legal channels against Meta.
Minister Claudia Van Bruggen noted that Meta has been receptive to engaging with the government to combat the black market. She stated, "Meta, especially as one of the parties, but also Google, is really open to this conversation." Furthermore, she indicated that the government would receive a report every six months detailing illegal gambling advertising on these platforms, stressing the importance of addressing the issue at an EU level through the Digital Services Act.
