The Netherlands gambling regulator has taken down 26 fraudulent casino websites that copied legitimate licensed operators, highlighting a growing security problem for players trying to distinguish legal casinos from convincing imitations.

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) announced the action on October 7 after discovering websites using addresses that closely resembled those of licensed Dutch gambling companies. Instead of the normal .nl domain, the clones used .co.nl addresses and copied the appearance of legitimate casino websites.

Visitors were then redirected from the imitation sites to illegal gambling operators. Nearly all 26 domains investigated by the KSA were copies of websites belonging to licensed operators.

After the regulator contacted CO.NL, the independent operator responsible for the domain extension, all 26 websites were taken offline within a maximum of 48 hours.

The investigation also uncovered additional sites connected with illegal gambling. In total, the KSA says it has now reported 86 websites to CO.NL and all have subsequently been removed.

A Licensed Casino Brand Does Not Guarantee a Legitimate Website

The case creates a simple problem for players: a casino website can look genuine without actually belonging to the licensed operator it appears to represent.

Changing a domain from .nl to .co.nl is a small visual difference, particularly on a smartphone screen. If the branding and website design have also been copied, users may not immediately realize they have landed on an imitation.

The KSA has previously found illegal gambling apps using the logos of licensed operators, including an impersonation of Holland Casino. In early 2025 alone, the regulator had 20 illegal gambling apps removed from app stores.

This reinforces why verifying a casino should go beyond recognizing its logo or brand name.

Players should check the exact website address and verify that the operator appears in the regulator's official license register before creating an account, entering personal information or making a deposit. The KSA itself advises consumers to check whether an operator holds a license before gambling.

As cloned websites and impersonation apps become more convincing, the domain and verified operator behind the casino matter just as much as what appears on the screen.

Sources

Kansspelautoriteit. (2026, October 7). Succesvolle aanpak gekloonde websites door Ksa. Kansspelautoriteit

Kansspelautoriteit. (2025, April 7). Ksa zet in op aanpak illegale kansspelapps. Kansspelautoriteit