The Dutch State Secretary for Justice and Security, Claudia van Bruggen, has endorsed conclusions that could exempt the low-risk gambling sectors from parts of the upcoming European anti–money laundering framework.
These sectors include charity lotteries, the State Lottery, gambling machines, shop promotions and small-scale gambling.
A recent study by research institute Dialogic on behalf of the Research and Data Centre (WODC) found that the land-based gambling machine sector can be classified as low-risk in terms of money laundering exposure. The industry association VAN Kansspelen also contributed to the research.
Online gambling and Holland Casino does not qualify for exemptions from European AML rules under either current regulations or the new framework.
Under existing legislation, land-based sports betting, harness racing and horse racing are exempt under Article 2 of the Implementation Regulation of the Dutch Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act.
This exemption will no longer apply, which will require significant changes for operators when the new European rules take effect on 10 July 2027.
The parliamentary letter setting out the government’s position has been published, and confirms the Netherlands’ intention to notify the European Commission of its plan to exempt these low-risk sectors from AML obligations.
The Dutch 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 Dutch Mental Health Care Association and Addiction Studies Netherlands are calling for a complete ban on gambling advertising
