The Dutch House of Representatives has backed a series of motions aimed at strengthening enforcement against illegal online gambling, including new sanctions for digital platforms and measures targeting the infrastructure used by unlicensed operators.
One adopted motion calls on the Government to amend the Gambling Act so an online platform commits an offence when it repeatedly displays illegal gambling advertising after receiving a removal request.
Under the proposal, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) would be able to impose an administrative fine or an order subject to periodic penalty payments.
The measure follows concerns over the effectiveness of the current system. The motion states that the KSA reports thousands of removal requests to Meta each month without achieving structural results.
MPs also approved the creation of a central list of illegal online gambling operators. The proposal is intended to support coordinated enforcement involving payment providers, search engines, social media platforms and hosting businesses, while giving consumers another way to distinguish licensed operators from illegal sites.
A further adopted motion instructs the Government to establish a pilot with the KSA, Public Prosecution Service and police targeting the digital infrastructure supporting illegal gambling. This could include payment flows, online platforms and hosting providers, alongside potential criminal enforcement where offences have been committed.
The measures align with the KSA's 2026 supervisory agenda, which places additional emphasis on combating illegal gambling and disrupting the infrastructure supporting unlicensed operators.
The regulator has identified cooperation with payment providers, hosting businesses and social media platforms as part of that strategy.
Parliament separately adopted a motion calling for the minimum age for the riskiest gambling products to increase to 21 once predefined targets for combating illegal gambling and limiting migration to unlicensed operators have been met.
The votes come as the Dutch Government pursues a wider tightening of online gambling regulation. In June, it announced plans including an online gambling advertising ban, a bonus prohibition and additional measures against illegal operators.
A separate parliamentary motion seeking a total ban on gambling advertising was rejected on 29 September.
This month, VNLOK has taken Meta to court over illegal gambling advertisements on Facebook and Instagram, seeking a ruling that the platform is failing to meet obligations under the EU Digital Services Act. The case came as Dutch lawmakers considered greater platform accountability for illegal gambling advertising.
MPs also backed a motion requiring users blocked from illegal gambling sites through future DNS measures to be directed towards information about gambling risks, Cruks and appropriate support services
