Dutch gambling regulator could target tech giants
The Netherlands’ gambling regulator has warned that it could pursue legal action against major technology companies if they fail to do more to prevent illegal gambling websites from reaching Dutch consumers.
Kansspelautoriteit chairman Michel Groothuizen has identified companies including Google and Meta as important participants in the distribution and promotion of unauthorised gambling services.
In comments published this week, Groothuizen said the regulator would prefer to secure voluntary cooperation from technology companies but was prepared to consider legal action.
The warning follows growing concern that illegal gambling operators continue to attract substantial amounts of money despite the Netherlands having operated a regulated online gambling market since October 2021.
The regulator believes technology companies have a responsibility to restrict the visibility of unauthorised gambling businesses using their platforms.
In a statement published on October 14, Groothuizen said approximately 90% of Dutch online gamblers used licensed operators exclusively.
However, the regulator believes the financial picture is considerably different.
According to its assessment, the amount of money flowing to illegal gambling sites is roughly equivalent to the amount going to authorised operators.
That suggests a relatively small proportion of gamblers using illegal websites may account for a disproportionately large share of gambling expenditure.
Groothuizen acknowledged that conventional enforcement measures had not been sufficient to eliminate the illegal market.
The regulator has imposed substantial penalties against unauthorised gambling operators, but collecting those fines has frequently proved difficult.
As a result, the authority has increasingly focused on disrupting the services illegal gambling companies need to operate.
These include payment processing, online advertising and search engine visibility.
The regulator believes online platforms can play an important role in preventing unauthorised gambling businesses from reaching customers.
Google search results and advertisements distributed through Meta’s platforms can make illegal gambling websites easier to discover.
Groothuizen said the authority would continue seeking cooperation from the companies but could pursue stronger measures if necessary.
The comments follow legal action launched by Dutch gambling industry association VNLOK against Meta in September over allegations that the company had failed to adequately address advertising by unlicensed operators.
The latest intervention also comes as the Dutch regulator expands its use of website removal requests and other measures intended to restrict access to illegal gambling services.
For licensed operators, the dispute highlights concerns about competition from websites that do not comply with Dutch taxation, advertising and player protection requirements.
The regulator’s position is that enforcement against illegal gambling must extend beyond the gambling companies themselves to the businesses providing the infrastructure that allows them to reach customers.
