The Netherlands' gambling authority, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), published its 2025 annual report on April 20, revealing that the country's online gaming market contracted by 18.5% last year, a notable reversal after 4.9% growth recorded in 2024.
The regulator attributed the decline to two concurrent factors: betting stake limits introduced in October 2024 and a gambling tax increase that took effect in January 2025.
The report highlights a shift in how the KSA defines and addresses harm. Beyond tracking financial losses, the regulator expanded its focus to include damage to players' mental health and social relationships, all grouped under the concept of "gambling harm." This broader framework shaped the authority's enforcement priorities throughout the year.
On the licensing side, the KSA intensified its oversight of the duty of care obligations held by legal operators. Against illegal platforms, the regulator pursued a strategy aimed at dismantling the infrastructure those operators rely on, targeting marketing channels, software developers, payment processors, internet providers and hosting companies. The KSA noted that international cooperation with foreign authorities has become an increasingly important component of this approach, given that illegal operators operate without regard for national borders.
Two institutional developments marked 2025 as well. The KSA laid the groundwork for a dedicated Player Protection Team, which formally launched in January 2026, with a mandate to support research and social initiatives designed to reduce gambling harm.
The authority also launched a centralised platform offering information and support for people looking to reduce or stop gambling.
Not all segments of the market followed the same trajectory. The lotteries and sports betting sector grew 4.6% in 2025, though that figure represents a slowdown from the 5.8% growth posted in 2024.
According to the regulator, around 91% of Dutch gamblers only use legal providers, a level it describes as stable across recent years
