KSA introduces new era of cooperation, but warns of total advertising ban

The Netherlands gambling watchdog has offered the industry a new era of cooperation, but warns that it needs to get itself in order or face extreme regulatory escalations such as a total advertisement ban.

Speaking at the Gaming in Holland Conference 2025 on Thursday, Renske Fikkers, head of the KSA’s regulatory department, said the authority wanted to move away from the perception it is an “unreachable, rigid regulator” focused on infringements and fines.

Discussing its “regulator 2.0” approach, Fikkers said it would be moving towards an open and flexible organisational structure that aims to solve the sector’s most prominent issues.

“We understand that imposed measures sometimes require adaptability and that post-implementation there are obstacles or ambiguities that we could not have anticipated beforehand,” Fikkers said.

“Being able to have an open conversation about that helps us further strengthen our regulation. We also have more frequent direct contact with operators in that context. When we come across things we have questions about or are dissatisfied with, we engage immediately.”

KSA warns of most extensive advertising ban

However, Fikkers’ speech also came with a warning to operators that reins protecting players could be tightened, including considering a total ban on gambling advertising. Fikkers asserted that advertisement breaches must be curtailed.

“I still see far too often that advertising rules are not properly followed. [The] subsequent outrage over this makes a total ban on advertising an increasingly realistic option, which is still undesirable as far as the KSA is concerned,” she added.

In May, the regulator issued a warning against gambling sponsorship in sport, ahead of an incoming ban on these deals as of July.

Looking at the next licensing round due to take place in 2026, Fikkers said the KSA would be taking previous history into account, good and bad.

“Our colleagues are already talking to industry associations and others about the potential challenges you may face in these licence applications. I want to stress that this is a process we want to work through with you, to make it as smooth as possible on both sides,” she said.

Calls for tech and bank cooperation

Also speaking at the gaming in Holland conference this week, Dutch trade body VNLOK called for greater support from tech firms and banks in the fight against illegal gambling.

VNLOK chief Björn Fuchs told the conference: “Closing those digital doors isn’t just a matter of new legislation or additional enforcement. It’s also essential that banks, Google and Facebook start taking their responsibility and completely stop facilitating the black market.

“These technically advanced, highly developed companies must surely have enough knowledge and resources to effectively block illegal gambling websites, which target Dutch consumers.”

This sentiment was mirrored by Arjan Blok, CEO of the state-owned Dutch lottery operator Nederlandse Loterij. Blok urged the banking sector and major technology platforms to use their powers and act against illegal sites.

“We need to join forces – the supervisor, providers, banks, tech platforms, payment services and hosting companies. Together we have the same interest: combating illegal gambling sites,” Blok stated.

More power to regulator and court enforcement

Blok also called for greater powers to be given to the KSA to tackle black market operators.

These would include powers to blacklist illegal gambling sites, block online advertisements, remove illegal casinos from app stores and ban payment services to illegal parties.

The Dutch Lottery also wants the authority to have the ability to take action against hosting services that facilitate illegal gambling sites.

Blok pointed to its own efforts and a civil lawsuit it has taken against Costa Rica-based Lalabet, in which is its attempting to ban the operator from the market.

“We want this site to go dark. Permanently. And we don’t want this provider to simply continue under a different name or with a different website,” Blok said.

Lalabet was previously operated in the Netherlands by Casbit, which the Dutch regulator hit with warnings and penalty fines past April.

Blok noted Nederlandse Loterij is already working on a court summons aimed at another illegal operator in the market.