The Netherlands' regulated online gambling market is recovering some ground against illegal operators, but new figures show that unauthorized gambling platforms still account for an estimated 41% of gross gambling revenue.

The Dutch Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), published its latest market assessment on October 29, 2026, reporting that licensed operators generated approximately 59% of online gambling gross gambling revenue during the first half of the year.

That represents an improvement from 54% in the preceding six months, but it also exposes a significant gap between the number of players using regulated platforms and the money being spent across the wider market.

According to the regulator, approximately 94% of people who gamble use only licensed providers.

In other words, most players appear to remain within the regulated system, yet a substantial share of gambling revenue is still estimated to flow toward unauthorized operators.

For casino app users, the findings raise an important question, why does a relatively small group of players account for such a large share of gambling revenue outside the licensed market?

Dutch Online Gambling Market: The Numbers Behind the Headlines

Gross gambling revenue (GGR) represents the difference between amounts wagered and winnings paid out, before operators' expenses.

The figures should not be interpreted as meaning that 41% of Dutch players use illegal gambling websites. Revenue share and player participation measure different things.

The regulator's estimates suggest that gambling activity outside the licensed market is concentrated among a much smaller proportion of customers.

However, the Ksa cannot observe every transaction on unauthorized platforms. Illegal-market revenue therefore remains an estimate rather than a complete accounting of all gambling losses.

Why Could Offshore Casino Players Be Losing More?

The contrast between the two figures is particularly relevant for consumer protection.

If most players use licensed gambling platforms but unauthorized operators still account for a large share of revenue, it suggests that gambling spending or losses may be disproportionately concentrated outside the regulated market.

There are several possible explanations.

Players seeking higher betting limits, different bonus structures or fewer account restrictions may be attracted to offshore websites. Others may encounter unauthorized casinos through advertising, search results or social media.

However, the regulator's headline figures alone do not establish why individual customers choose illegal operators or how much each customer loses.

They also do not prove that every offshore casino player experiences greater losses than every licensed casino customer.

The broader concern is that unauthorized platforms may operate without the same Dutch safeguards for spending limits, customer monitoring and gambling-related harm.

For players, the difference can become particularly important when something goes wrong.

What Does This Mean for Casino Apps in the Netherlands?

A casino app can appear legitimate without being authorized to serve Dutch customers.

Professional mobile design, recognizable games, cryptocurrency payments and generous welcome bonuses are not evidence of a valid Dutch gambling license.

Licensed operators must comply with requirements imposed by the Ksa, including applicable player protection and identity verification rules.

Unauthorized casino websites may offer fewer protections, and customers can face additional difficulties when attempting to recover disputed funds or resolve withdrawal complaints.

Players should therefore verify the operator behind a mobile casino before depositing money.

The safest starting point is the regulator's official licensing information rather than a casino's own marketing claims.

Why Security Matters

Mobile gambling creates additional risks when customers download unfamiliar applications or follow links from advertisements.

An unauthorized casino may imitate a licensed operator's branding or use a similar website address.

Players should check the exact domain, the company operating the service and whether the operator is authorized in the Netherlands.

Downloading an app from an official app store does not, by itself, establish that the gambling service is legally permitted in the player's jurisdiction.

Are Dutch Gambling Restrictions Working?

The increase in licensed operators' estimated revenue share from 54% to 59% is a positive development for the regulated market.

It suggests that authorized platforms captured a larger proportion of gambling revenue during the first half of 2026 than in the previous six months.

However, it would be premature to attribute the entire improvement to any single regulatory measure.

The Netherlands has introduced gambling restrictions and enforcement initiatives intended to reduce harm and limit unauthorized activity.

The latest figures provide a useful measure of market participation, but they cannot independently establish which interventions caused the change.

The more difficult question is whether regulated operators can retain customers who gamble frequently or spend large amounts without weakening consumer protections.

For regulators, increasing licensed-market participation is not simply about attracting more gambling revenue. It is also about ensuring that gambling activity takes place where player safeguards can be enforced.

What Dutch Casino Players Should Watch in 2027

The new figures suggest that the Netherlands will continue facing two connected challenges, keeping gambling within the licensed market and protecting customers who may be exposed to higher financial risks.

For players, several practical considerations remain important.

Before registering with an online casino, check its Dutch license, withdrawal rules, identity verification requirements and available responsible gambling tools.

Be cautious of platforms advertising unusually high bonuses, unrestricted deposits or access to games supposedly unavailable at licensed Dutch casinos.

Those features do not automatically establish that an operator is fraudulent, but they should prompt additional checks.

Players should also remember that a licensed casino is not a guarantee of winning or avoiding gambling-related harm. Regulation provides safeguards and oversight, not protection against financial losses.

The central finding from the Ksa's latest assessment is that the Netherlands has made progress in bringing gambling revenue into its regulated market, but a substantial estimated share remains outside it.

Sources Referred

Kansspelautoriteit. (2026, October 29). Stand van zaken Nederlandse gokmarkt 2025-2026 [State of the Dutch gambling market 2025-2026]. Official Ksa publication