KSA Chair discusses regulatory alignment with new Dutch coalition

The D66, VVD and CDA minority cabinet – or Jetten cabinet – is set to be sworn in on 23 February 2026  

Ahead of the Netherlands’ new coalition Government stepping in to power next week, the Chair of the Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) Michel Groothuizen has shared his thoughts on the nation’s regulatory direction.  

As part of an extended release on the regulator’s website, Groothuizen has labelled the nation’s new coalition as ‘ambitious’, outlining that the priorities of the new regime regarding gambling largely lie around player protection. Indeed, the Government has also specified its desire to help combat the illegal market – with Groothuizen further stating that he believes the new coalition’s goals are broadly aligned with that of the KSA moving forwards.  

Nevertheless, the coalition has also proposed blanket bans on online gambling advertising and a further investigation into potentially limiting the number of licence holders in the nation – two initiatives that Groothuizen labelled “unhelpful”. 

Is an online ad ban the way forward?  

Interestingly, Groothuizen acknowledged the gambling industry’s unique and often tricky political position as a sector that can be subject to negative political perception – and has stated that the regulator will do everything it can to protect the validity of the regulated market. He also explains that social media poses one of the key challenges from an advertising standpoint, as 58,000 of the 60,000 Facebook and Instagram gambling advertisements recorded over the past month came from illegal online providers.  

Regardless, the KSA Chair remained steadfast in his opposition to an advertising ban, explaining: “A ban on online advertising only affects the legal offer. Our people will do everything they can to combat illegal advertising as well, but in the current circumstances we cannot be 100% successful in this.” 

KSA urges away from strict oversight  

The KSA has not historically been shy of transparency when it comes to regulation in the Dutch market. Last summer saw the regulator report that the 2025 increase in gambling tax – which was implemented to increase gross gaming result – in fact led to a decrease in tax revenues whilst simultaneously creating a financially challenging environment for operators.  

Now, Groothuizen’s latest comments highlight a similar disposition against stringent advertising regulations in the market. 

Groothuizen also emphasised his opposition to limiting the number of licence holders in Holland, with around 30 currently active in the market. Specifically on this subject, Groothuizen stated: “Maximising the number of providers in a market with parties that meet all the conditions and that offer products or services that also fit within the rules seems to me to be a legally difficult path, with a dubious usefulness. There is no reason to assume that there will be less advertising in a market with five providers than if there are 25, or that the number of players will decrease.” 

Can the coalition and KSA work together?  

Conclusively, Groothuizen closed his statement by saying: “Despite these critical comments, I look forward to working with the new cabinet with enthusiasm. On the main goals, protecting the vulnerable and combating illegality, there is no light whatsoever between the goals of the cabinet and those of us as a supervisor. We wish the new ministers a lot of wisdom on the gaming file and are ready to get to work together.” 

Indeed, these latest comments fall in the wake of recent updates from the KSA which has seen the regulatory body instruct operators to steer away from the ‘share your bet’ feature – stating that since operators cannot control who receives shared bets, vulnerable groups can be put at risk. Elsewhere this month, the KSA has also contacted a number of registered operators in the nation which it feels have failed to properly demonstrate the limitations of their ‘early payout’ feature to players.  

It is evident that the KSA has long been a proactive and compassionate regulator on both the side of the players and operators. As underlined by Groothuizen, some of the KSA’s core missions align closely with the new coalition’s gaming goals. However, how the pair approach their differences may make for a fascinating spectacle moving forward.