The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, has cautioned against proposals to impose a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising and to restrict the number of available gambling licenses in the Netherlands.
The regulator said such measures could have unintended consequences that may undermine the goals of consumer protection and the controlled legal market.
In a response to ongoing policy discussions in The Hague, the KSA stressed that an outright prohibition on all forms of gambling promotion could drive players toward unregulated, illegal operators, reducing the effectiveness of protection mechanisms that the regulated market provides. The regulator also urged caution regarding calls to cap the number of licensed operators, arguing that such a restriction could dampen competition and innovation in the legal sector.
The KSA said that while responsible marketing standards and tighter age-gate enforcement remain priorities, a total advertising ban and strict license limits could inadvertently push consumers toward offshore platforms beyond regulatory oversight. Instead, the regulator advocated for balanced, risk-based policies that encourage responsible advertising while preserving the integrity and competitiveness of the domestic market.
Industry stakeholders watching the debate have noted that the regulator’s stance reflects broader concerns over maintaining a sustainable and transparent gambling ecosystem — one that protects players without unnecessarily restricting lawful commercial activity.
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