The Dutch Gambling Authority has unveiled updated licensing requirements for remote gambling, which will come into force on 1 January 2026.
These adjustments coincide with the upcoming expiration of the first batch of five-year licences, issued in September 2021 and set to expire in October 2026.
Under the revised framework, operators will face stricter obligations. Applicants must now submit documentation outlining how they plan to keep the regulator informed of significant changes in company policies or operations. In addition, they are required to provide an “exit plan” describing how gambling services would be discontinued if their licence is not renewed.
Existing licence holders will need to follow a specific renewal procedure. This includes a reassessment of player protection protocols, advertising and marketing strategies, and a new integration test for the control database (CDB). Operators will also need to explain any compliance breaches from the past five years and demonstrate corrective actions taken to prevent repetition. Should the regulator find these unsatisfactory, it may impose extra conditions or deny renewal.
The KSA also clarified its stance on reliability checks: operators failing to comply with enforceable court rulings at the time of application will be considered unreliable and risk rejection. Additionally, applicants must conduct and submit a risk assessment in accordance with the Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act (WWFT).
