Key Moments:
- The Dutch online gambling sector reported €600 million in gross gaming revenue for the first half of 2025, down from €697 million in the prior six months
- The licensed market saw a drop in its share of total bets from 51% to 49%, with player participation rising to 5.7% of Dutch adults
- Average monthly player losses decreased to €119, as new deposit limits were introduced
Regulatory Actions and Market Dynamics
The autumn monitoring report from Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, highlights a complex landscape in the country’s online gambling market. Official figures show that gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached €600 million during the first six months of 2025. This marks a decline from €697 million reported in the preceding half-year period. The drop is largely attributed to new deposit limits which have contributed to more controlled spending and an emphasis on safer gambling.
Shifting Behavior and the Appeal of Unlicensed Operators
Despite more Dutch adults participating in online gambling—climbing from 5.4% to 5.7%—the proportion of money wagered with legal operators decreased from 51% to 49%. The KSA suggests that the greater restrictions in the licensed market may be prompting more players to seek out unregulated platforms that offer fewer limitations and more enticing incentives.
Additionally, the increase in new gaming accounts appears not to signal an influx of new gamblers; rather, existing players are opening multiple accounts across different platforms, potentially as a workaround to the newly implemented deposit limits.
Trends in Player Losses and Upcoming Compliance Requirements
One encouraging trend noted in the report is the reduction in average monthly losses per player, which dropped from €146 at the end of 2024 to €119 in the most recent period. Young adults aged 18–24 remain the demographic with the lowest average loss, at approximately €37 per month, yet they represent 23% of all active online gambling accounts tracked during the review period.
In a bid to enhance market stability and ensure responsible conduct, the KSA revealed an upcoming requirement set for 2026: all applicants for an online gambling license must include an “exit plan.” This strategy is meant to ensure that operators who do not have their licenses renewed can exit the Dutch market responsibly, fostering both accountability and transparency.
Ongoing Oversight and Market Safeguards
Although the regulator reports progress in responsible gambling initiatives, concerns remain about the persistent expansion of the illegal online gambling market. The KSA has committed to maintaining vigilance in monitoring illegal operators and intends to strengthen enforcement efforts to better protect Dutch consumers and support the integrity of the licensed gaming market.
| Reporting Period | Gross Gaming Revenue (€ million) | % of Dutch Adults Participating | Licensed Market Share | Avg. Monthly Loss Per Player (€) | Avg. Monthly Loss (Ages 18–24) (€) | % of Active Accounts (Ages 18–24) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Half 2025 | 600 | 5.7% | 49% | 119 | 37 | 23% |
| Previous 6 Months | 697 | 5.4% | 51% | 146 | Not specified | Not specified |
- Author
Daniel Williams
