Dutch regulator removes 86 fake gambling websites
The Netherlands’ gambling regulator has taken down 86 websites that impersonated licensed gambling operators before redirecting players to illegal online casinos.
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) said the websites exploited the .co.nl domain extension to create addresses that closely resembled those belonging to legitimate Dutch gambling sites.
Some went further by copying the appearance and branding of licensed operators, giving players the impression they were visiting a regulated gambling website before directing them elsewhere.
The regulator’s latest investigation initially identified 26 .co.nl websites being used in the scheme, almost all of which imitated existing licensed gambling businesses.
The KSA contacted the independent operator responsible for the co.nl domain extension, which cooperated with the regulator and took the identified websites offline within 48 hours.
Further investigation uncovered additional domains being used for similar purposes, taking the total number of websites reported and subsequently removed to 86.
The KSA said the approach posed a particular risk because Dutch players could reasonably mistake a .co.nl address for the .nl domain of a legitimate gambling operator.
By borrowing the names or appearance of established companies, illegal operators could also take advantage of the trust players place in brands they recognise from the country’s regulated market.
The KSA has not publicly identified those responsible for establishing the websites or indicated whether further enforcement or criminal action will follow.
The case comes as Dutch authorities continue efforts to improve the proportion of online gambling taking place through locally licensed operators.
The Netherlands opened its regulated online gambling market in October 2021, with companies required to obtain a licence from the KSA before offering online casino games or sports betting to Dutch players.
Eight operators that entered the market during its opening period recently had their licences renewed for another five years, including companies behind bet365, BetCity, Holland Casino Online, Kansino and GGPoker (GGPoker review). Those renewed licences run from October 2026 until September 2031.
