Top Rated Dutch Online Casinos!DISCLOSURE

Yes, online gambling in the Netherlands is legal and fully regulated. The current regulations came into effect on October 1^st 2021, officially marking the launch of the Dutch remote gambling market.

It’s worth noting that the Dutch were fairly active online gamblers even before the market was regulated. Official estimates noted that over 1,5 million residents of the Netherlands actively gamble on a regular basis. And these estimates were made before online gambling was fully legalized. With that in mind, this number is expected to grow rapidly.

Currently, only gambling companies with a license issued by the Dutch gambling authority – NOGA – may offer services to citizens of the Netherlands. Currently, two state-run firms and around 10 international providers own the license – though this list is quickly growing.

To qualify for a license, casino operators must consent to a number of guidelines. Most of these concern third-party monitoring that ensures fairness and financial transparency. Furthermore, companies must agree to monitor player behavior and identify potential problem gamblers. Should such behavior persist, casinos are obligated to remove such customers from play. Their names and information are there added to a central register, preventing them from playing at other Dutch-licensed establishments.

All in all, Dutch gambling regulations are quite modern and well-thought-out. Concern for the player’s safety and security comes first, focusing on eliminating problem gambling and ensuring good business practices.

Key points about live casinos in the Netherlands

• After several years of unsuccessful attempts, the regulated Dutch online gambling market was finally opened in October 2021. The KOA, or the Remote Gambling Act, was finally enacted, enabling online businesses to apply for gambling licenses.
• Before October 2021, all online gambling was technically illegal in the country. However, this doesn’t mean it didn’t exist. In fact, various sites and platforms reported an annual income of over €800 million from Dutch players.
• In other words, gambling was widespread and popular but unregulated for decades. Such a situation is commonplace across many markets in the world.
• Legislators noted that one of the reasons regulations were put in place is that outright banning internet gambling was downright impossible. The primary goal of the new laws and regulative body is to protect customers from possible abuses.
• Interestingly, thanks to the framework of European Union-wide cooperation, gambling companies do not actually have to have a registered branch in the Netherlands to apply for a license. This works out great for the players. World-class online casinos are able to accept Dutch players, leading to healthy competition.
• Major brands which instantly received licenses include Bet365, Betsson, BetWay, and LeoVegas. Also, state-run Dutch gambling companies are now able to access a much bigger market.
• The list of available online casinos in the Netherlands will only continue to grow with time. Authorities have reported more than 200 applicants pending.