SBC Summit Europe | 19-21 April 2027 | RAI Amsterdam
Table of Contents
When people say ‘The Netherlands’, several things spring to mind.
The beautiful canals of Amsterdam, the defiant orange hue of the national football team kit, or the sweet aroma of freshly prepared Stroopwafels.
But in recent years, another topic has increasingly entered the conversation: online gambling.
Since the regulated market launched in October 2021, it has quickly cemented itself as one of the most fascinating markets in European gaming.
Whilst its high channelisation rate and healthy player base may grab the headlines, dig a little deeper and there is much more to uncover.
So, with the debut edition of SBC Summit Europe taking place at RAI Amsterdam from 19–21 April, there’s really no better time to take a closer look at the host country’s gambling market.
The Dutch Gambling Market at a Glance
Headlines are headlines for a reason. So before we dig into the details, here’s a snapshot of the Dutch gambling market based on the latest KSA market data (H2 2025).
- Online market launched: 1 October 2021
- Regulator: Kansspelautoriteit (KSA)
- Online GGR: €602 million (Second half of 2025)
- Number of online license holders: 31 (December 2025)
- Number of active players: 500,000 (1.38 million accounts)
- Average monthly player loss: €124
- Current gambling tax rate: 37.8%
- Largest gaming vertical: Casino games against the house (78% of online GGR)
Meet the Regulator: The KSA
At the centre of the Dutch system is the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), or Netherlands Gambling Authority.
The KSA licenses operators, supervises the regulated market and takes enforcement action against companies that break Dutch gambling law. Its core objectives focus on protecting consumers, preventing gambling addiction, tackling illegal gambling and combating gambling-related crime.
And heading into 2027, its role is becoming increasingly important.
The KSA’s 2026 supervisory agenda identifies five particular priorities:
- Tackling illegal gambling
- Protecting minors and young adults
- Supervising operators’ duty of care
- Advertising compliance
- Anti-money laundering compliance
The regulator has also strengthened efforts to disrupt illegal operators reaching Dutch players, working with payment providers, hosting companies and social media platforms to make it harder for unlicensed gambling sites to operate.
In just a few years, the KSA’s role has expanded beyond simply licensing and supervising operators, now expanding its focus to how the entire Dutch gambling ecosystem operates, from player protection and advertising to illegal gambling and the businesses that enable it.
How Dutch Gambling Works
The Dutch gambling market is a diverse one, spanning online casino, sports betting, lotteries, land-based casinos, poker, bingo and horse racing.
However, not every vertical operates under the same model.
Since the regulated market launched in October 2021, operators have been able to apply for a Kansspelen op afstand (Koa) licence across four categories of online gambling.
- Casino games against the house: including slots, roulette and blackjack.
- Casino games between players: including poker and bingo.
- Sports betting
- Horse-racing betting
Together, these four licence categories form the foundation of the Netherlands’ regulated online gambling market.
The Rules Shaping the Market
Since the online market opened in 2021, the regulatory framework has evolved considerably, particularly around player protection, advertising and spending.
Some of the most important rules heading into 2027 include:
- Gambling tax: The gambling tax rate increased to 37.8% in January 2026, following an earlier increase to 34.2% in 2025.
- Deposit and affordability controls: Since October 2024, online operators must conduct an affordability check when a player wants to deposit more than €300 per month for 18–23-year-olds or €700 for players aged 24 and above.
- Duty of care: Operators are required to monitor gambling behaviour and intervene when signs of potentially harmful play emerge.
- CRUKS: Licensed operators must connect to the Netherlands’ national self-exclusion system and prevent registered players from accessing gambling.
- Advertising: Untargeted advertising for online gambling has been prohibited since July 2023, while sports sponsorship by online gambling companies ended in July 2025. Online advertising remains possible under strict conditions.
- Licensing: Koa licences run for five years. New licensing rules introduced in 2026 place additional requirements, including exit plans and risk assessments.
And the rulebook could change further.
In June 2026, the Dutch government proposed additional measures, including a total ban on online gambling advertising and bonuses, an overarching deposit limit and additional powers to combat illegal gambling. These remain proposals rather than current rules, but their development could significantly shape the market operators face in 2027.
Who’s Who in Dutch Gambling?
So, who is actually operating in the Dutch market?
For a relatively young regulated online market, the Netherlands already features a broad mix of domestic operators, international brands and affiliates.
Major licensed operators include: TOTO, Holland Casino Online, bet365, BetCity, Kansino, FairPlay Casino, Bingoal and GGPoker.
The affiliate sector also has its own quality mark, the Keurmerk Verantwoorde Affiliates (KVA), which sets standards covering responsible advertising, transparency, player protection and the promotion of KSA-licensed operators.
While KVA certification isn’t a legal requirement, some licensed operators require it from their affiliate partners, adding another layer of compliance to the relationship between operators and affiliates.
The Big Issues Facing Dutch Gambling in 2027
Five years after regulation, the questions facing the Dutch market have changed dramatically.
The debate is no longer simply whether a regulated online market can work, but how far regulation can go without driving away customers and operators alike.
Channelisation and the black market
Perhaps the clearest example is channelisation.
Around 91% of Dutch players are estimated to gamble exclusively with legal operators, yet the regulated market accounts for an estimated 53% of GGR.
In other words, most players are staying legal, but a disproportionate amount of spending is taking place outside the regulated market. Heading into 2027, the challenge is keeping those players (and their spending) within the licensed ecosystem.
How much tax can a market take?
Tax is another major pressure point.
The gambling tax rate has climbed from 30.5% in 2024 to 34.2% in 2025 and 37.8% in 2026. Meanwhile, legal online GGR was around 18% lower in 2025 than in 2024, against a backdrop of stricter player-protection measures and rising taxation.
That puts commercial sustainability firmly on the agenda: how much financial pressure can operators absorb before investment, competition and market participation are affected?
Regulation isn’t standing still
The Netherlands has also entered its first major licensing renewal cycle. The original Koa licences issued when the market opened in 2021 reached the end of their five-year terms in September 2026.
In September, the KSA announced the first eight successor licences, covering operators including TOTO, Holland Casino Online, bet365 and BetCity. Those licences run from October 2026 until September 2031.
The renewal process also gives the regulator an opportunity to scrutinise operators’ records over the previous five years, with the KSA taking past compliance breaches and the steps taken to prevent their recurrence into account.
For operators, that raises another question: will greater oversight make the Netherlands harder to operate in, and less attractive to enter?
How do you acquire a player?
And then there is acquisition.
Traditional advertising channels have narrowed, sports sponsorship has ended for online operators, and further advertising restrictions have been proposed.
That places greater importance on affiliates, organic search, brand recognition and retention, while putting those channels under greater regulatory scrutiny.
Dutch Gambling Takes Centre Stage at SBC Summit Europe
With taxation rising, regulation evolving and the relationship between the legal and illegal markets under increasing scrutiny, there will be plenty to discuss when SBC Summit Europe arrives in Amsterdam.
And rather conveniently, we’ve dedicated an entire conference track to doing exactly that. The Netherlands Leaders, taking place on Tuesday, 20th April, will tackle the biggest questions facing the market.
Panels across the day include:
- Setting the Standard: The KSA’s Vision for a Sustainable Dutch Market.
- Winning Back the Market: The Dutch CEO Debate
- Law in Play: The Cases Reshaping Dutch Gambling
- Taxing Point: How Much Can the Dutch Market Take?
- Find. Convert. Keep: Reinventing the Dutch Affiliate Model
- One Industry. One Voice: Building the Future of Dutch Gambling
Together, the track offers something close to a live state-of-the-market review, covering regulation, channelisation, taxation, operators and affiliates at a pivotal moment for Dutch gambling.
The Dutch Market in 2027
Five years after opening its regulated online market, the Netherlands enters 2027 at an important crossroads.
The foundations are firmly in place, but questions around channelisation, taxation, player protection, advertising and commercial sustainability remain far from settled.
And with the industry gathering in Amsterdam for SBC Summit Europe, there may be no better place to discuss what comes next for one of Europe’s most fascinating gambling markets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is SBC Summit Europe?
SBC Summit Europe is the Home of European iGaming, with regulated markets at its heart. It is the annual meeting place for the people leading, regulating and building European gaming.
When and where does it take place?
19-21 April 2027 at RAI Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Who will be there?
Around 8,000 attendees are expected, including more than 3,000 licensed operator representatives. They will be joined by regulators, policymakers, industry associations, legal experts, suppliers, affiliates, investors and media. SBC Summit Europe attendee overview.
What is the main focus of SBC Summit Europe?
SBC Summit Europe is where the people running, regulating and building licensed markets finally share a room. Regulators and policymakers join the conversation directly, alongside licensed operators, who sit at the heart of the event with more than 3,000 operator representatives expected. Networking is as much a priority as education, so the programme is built to turn insight into conversations, relationships and commercial outcomes that would be hard to arrange any other way. Partnerships with IAGR and IMGL, alongside relationships with regulatory bodies and industry associations, are bringing gaming authority representatives from across Europe to Amsterdam.
What topics will be covered?
Channelisation and black-market competition, taxation, advertising restrictions, player protection and affordability, licensing and compliance, and the impact of new technology and AI. The programme will also cover compliance technology, payments, sports betting platforms and data, casino, marketing and changing player behaviour. Check the SBC Summit conference agenda.
Is the event focused on one market or on Europe as a whole?
Both. Dedicated sessions explore individual jurisdictions in detail, while broader discussions look at the trends and lessons that apply across borders
How can I get a pass?
Operators, regulators, and qualifying affiliates can apply for complimentary passes. For everyone else, registration will open soon. For now, register your interest for SBC Summit Europe.
How can I get a pass?
Operators, regulators, and qualifying affiliates can apply for complimentary passes. For everyone else, registration will open soon. For now, register your interest for SBC Summit Europe.
