The Dutch government has announced sweeping reforms to its regulated online gambling market, including a complete prohibition on advertising and bonuses.
Justice and Security State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen unveiled the proposals on 12 June 2026, citing rising addiction and gambling participation since the market opened.
The Netherlands launched its regulated online gambling market on 1 October 2021, and ministers now say young adults face growing exposure to gambling-related debt.
Van Bruggen’s package of reforms would prevent licensed operators from advertising online gambling or offering any inducements to customers.
That prohibition would extend to free bets given to players when they first open a new account with a licensed operator.
The Netherlands already bans gambling advertisements featuring role models, and untargeted remote gambling advertising has been prohibited since July 2023.
Officials concluded those existing restrictions had not done enough to reduce public exposure, particularly among younger audiences.
Beyond the advertising ban, the proposals include a centralised deposit limit applying across all licensed online gambling platforms in the country.
Players wishing to exceed that limit would first face an affordability assessment examining payment arrears, personal finances, and whether they are under guardianship or financial administration.
The government also wants to reform Cruks, the national gambling exclusion register, so that voluntary exclusions can remain open-ended rather than expiring after a fixed period.
Relatives and financial administrators would gain a simpler route to request another person’s registration on the exclusion list under the proposed changes.
The reforms also target illegal operators, with proposals to block unlicensed gambling websites and impose new statutory duties on payment providers and hosting companies.
Van Bruggen will develop the measures through a formal bill alongside a longer-term programme specifically aimed at tackling gambling harm across the country.
Officials are additionally studying whether to introduce a cap on the total number of licences available within the Dutch market.
The Dutch announcement reflects a broader European trend, with several countries tightening online gambling controls significantly in recent years.
Great Britain introduced maximum online slots stakes, setting the limit at £5 for players aged 25 or older and £2 for younger adults.
British rules that came into effect from January 2026 also banned mixed-product promotions and capped bonus wagering requirements at ten times the bonus amount.
Belgium raised its minimum gambling age to 21 in September 2024, applying a single threshold across both betting and casino gambling products.
Italy had already imposed a wider gambling advertising ban through its 2018 Dignity Decree, covering television, print, websites, and social media, though it remains controversial.
Ireland has also moved toward a national licensing framework under its Gambling Regulation Act 2024, with key provisions including credit-card restrictions and player-set monetary limits taking effect from February 2026.
