The Dutch Gaming Authority, KSA, has warned that financial checks and deposit limits may be contributing to player movement towards illegal gambling platforms.
In a blog accompanying its latest market monitoring report, KSA Chairman Michel Groothuizen said recent regulatory measures could be influencing consumer behaviour, including the creation of multiple accounts and migration to unlicensed operators.
Groothuizen said: "It is therefore quite possible that the financial capacity check that takes place starting from a certain amount encourages people to create another legal account elsewhere to circumvent that check, or to switch entirely to illegal offerings."
The regulator said this trend is reflected in channelisation data. It estimated that 53% of total gross gaming revenue in the second half of 2025 went to legal providers, down from 56% earlier in the year.
KSA said this suggests a growing share of gambling activity is moving outside the regulated market, despite most Dutch players continuing to use licensed operators.
The authority also noted a slight increase in the number of accounts per player, which it said may indicate attempts to bypass provider-specific limits.
Groothuizen said: "Various technological developments and phenomena such as cryptocurrency gambling contribute to this."
The regulator said policymakers are considering the introduction of an overarching deposit limit across operators to address account-hopping, although it warned this would not prevent players from switching to illegal providers.
KSA also rejected calls to ease duty of care requirements, citing continued risks among certain player groups.
Groothuizen said: "We certainly should not take a gamble with people who may no longer have their gambling behaviour under control."
The regulator said nearly 6% of the adult population in the Netherlands participates in online gambling, with higher-risk behaviour concentrated within that group. It also highlighted concerns around younger users, noting that 18-year-olds hold the highest number of gambling accounts relative to other age groups.
In related coverage, KSA said this week that it had funded five projects through its Addiction Prevention Fund to support early detection, treatment guidance and services for people affected by gambling harm.
KSA said the level of any future overarching deposit limit will likely influence how many players shift away from licensed providers
