The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) announced on Thursday that it has renewed eight online gambling licenses, a key part of its five-year renewal plan for the industry. These licenses will allow the operators to continue their legal activities in the Netherlands from October 1, 2026, until September 30, 2031.
This marks the first instance of license renewals since the market's official launch in 2021, and the final list of licensed operators will reveal how many companies have chosen to exit the Dutch market. The original licenses granted in 2021 will expire at the end of September 2026, requiring all license holders to submit applications for the upcoming five-year term.
The renewed licenses have been awarded to a diverse set of operators: TOTO Online BV (which includes TOTO and Winnitt), Holland Casino NV (Holland Casino Online), Play North Limited (Kansino), FPO Nederland BV (FairPlay Casino), Bingoal Nederland BV (Bingoal), Hillside (New Media Malta) Plc (Bet365), NSUS Malta Limited (GG Poker), and Betent BV (Betcity). This list features a mix of local and international operators who were already active in the market, with no new entries yet approved.
Notably, two of the original ten licensed operators, LiveScore and Tombola, exited the marketplace in 2024.
For this renewal cycle, the KSA adopted a more detailed and stricter regulatory approach compared to the 2021 licensing round, aligning with new policy rules introduced in September 2025. One significant requirement insists that licensees with past compliance issues must provide a thorough explanation during the renewal application process, detailing how they have learned from their previous mistakes and what measures they will take to prevent future infractions. The KSA warned that insufficient explanations could lead to permit denials or additional restrictions.
This posed concerns among operators, who feared these updates would create more rigid barriers to entry. However, in discussions concerning the policy changes last year, the KSA reassured operators that it would not enforce overly stringent requirements. Bjorn Fuchs, chairman of VNLOK, noted that there was relief in the room when this was conveyed.
The refreshed regulations have resulted in a more structured renewal framework instead of a blanket crackdown. Fuchs pointed out that operators with clean compliance records face fewer hurdles, allowing them to simply submit a declaration confirming compliance for various modules.
The requirement for an exit plan, introduced across all submissions, is another change in the licensing protocol. This new obligation aims to facilitate an organized withdrawal from the market, mandating that operators outline their strategies for responsibly ceasing operations should their license not be renewed or if they choose to leave before the next assessment.
As part of the application process, the KSA expects operators to describe corrective actions taken to resolve any previous breaches and outline steps for future compliance. Some operators were marked with ‘additional points for attention,’ meaning they met basic legal requirements but will need to show continuous improvement in compliance practices.
TOTO Online BV, one of the renewed license holders, was previously reported for breaching advertising regulations by using role models in its promotions. This was not their first issue with the KSA; in 2022, TOTO was fined for gambling advertisements perceived to target younger audiences.
