Dutch Online Gambling Licences: First Eight Renewed

The Dutch gambling regulator has granted its first batch of renewed online gambling licences, and all eight went to operators already active in the market. The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) confirmed the approvals on 17 September. The renewals run from 1 October 2026 until 30 September 2031, and the final list will show which brands walked away.

Why the 2026 Renewal Round Matters

Every operator that entered the regulated market in 2021 received a five-year permit, and those licences expire at the end of September 2026. Companies that wanted to keep their Dutch online gambling licences had to apply again for the 2026 to 2031 period. An operator that skipped the process or failed to qualify loses the right to serve Dutch players.

The market has already lost some familiar names. LiveScore and Tombola, both part of the first ten operators licensed in 2021, pulled out of the Netherlands in 2024. Any further departures will become clear once the KSA completes its remaining decisions.

Which Operators Kept Their Dutch Online Gambling Licences

The first eight approvals cover a mix of domestic and international companies. TOTO Online BV renewed for TOTO and Winnitt, while Holland Casino NV kept its licence for Holland Casino Online. Play North Limited (Kansino), FPO Nederland BV (FairPlay Casino) and Bingoal Nederland BV (Bingoal) also made the cut.

Hillside (New Media Malta) Plc, the company behind Bet365, received its follow-up licence too. NSUS Malta Limited renewed for GG Poker, and Betent BV did the same for Betcity. None of these names is new, so no fresh Dutch entrant has won online gambling licences yet.

Stricter Rules Behind the Renewals

The KSA took a far more detailed approach than it did at the 2021 launch. It based the process on new policy rules published in September 2025, and one of them caused real concern across the industry. Operators seeking Dutch online gambling licences with a history of violations had to explain what they learned and how they would prevent a repeat.

If the regulator found that explanation inadequate, it could refuse the licence or attach extra conditions. Many operators feared a blanket crackdown, so the KSA met with licensees last year to explain its approach. Bjorn Fuchs, chairman of the Dutch trade association VNLOK, described a clear sense of relief in the room once the regulator presented the details.

A Lighter Load for Clean Records

What emerged was a structured framework instead of a broad clampdown. Operators with clean compliance histories could submit a simple declaration for several application modules. Fuchs said the new system asks less of operators overall, although sharper duty-of-care definitions have added some complexity.

That split rewards companies that kept their records spotless between 2021 and 2026. A clean operator had an easier route to renewing its Dutch online gambling licences than rivals with past breaches. So behaviour during one licence period now shapes the terms of the next.

Every Applicant Now Needs an Exit Plan

One new obligation applies to everyone, with no exemption for a clean record. Every application for online gambling licences in the Dutch market must now include a detailed exit plan for winding down operations responsibly. It has to cover a refused renewal, a revoked licence and a voluntary exit partway through the five-year term.

This rule matters most to players. A casino that closes without warning can leave customers unsure about their balances and account data. An exit plan forces operators to answer those questions before a crisis arrives, and it shows the regulator now treats long-term risk management as part of the licence itself.

Renewals Came With Points for Attention

Passing the review did not mean a perfect score. The KSA said several operators received additional points for attention, meaning they met the legal minimum but must keep improving. Those licensees can expect closer scrutiny of the specific issues flagged during the review.

TOTO Online BV stands out among the approvals. In June, the KSA called out the operator for breaching the ban on role models in gambling advertising. The regulator had also fined TOTO in 2022 over ads that appeared to target young people, so its renewal suggests the KSA accepted the corrective measures the company outlined.

What Comes Next for the Dutch Market

The KSA still has to issue its remaining decisions before the new period starts on 1 October. So far, no new operators have joined through this process, and the full list will show how many existing brands chose to stay. Players can check the KSA’s public register to confirm that a casino holds valid Dutch online gambling licences before depositing.

This first batch sets the tone for the next five years. Past behaviour now counts at renewal time, and every operator must plan its own exit before it can stay. For players, sites with Dutch online gambling licences should offer stronger protection than in 2021, while unlicensed offshore sites remain outside those safeguards entirely.