Higher application costs are coming for Dutch gambling operators, as the government adjusts fees and regulators ramp up enforcement in a fast-changing market.
New Fee Structure Reflects Inflation, Not Just Policy Shift
From 1 April 2026, anyone applying for a gambling license in the Netherlands will face steeper fees. The Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security has officially published the new rates in the Staatscourant, citing the need to keep costs aligned with the real expenses of regulation.
The updated pricing affects everything from one-off event permits to remote (online) gambling licenses. It’s the first major fee adjustment since 2021, and while smaller games like “canteen lotteries” still benefit from reduced rates, those fees are going up too.
Here’s a look at the major changes:
| License Type | Old Fee | New Fee (from 1 April 2026) |
| Small incidental permit (< €50,000) | €500 | €600 |
| Medium incidental permit (€50k–€500k) | €4,100 | €5,200 |
| Large incidental permit (> €500k) | €24,000 | €30,600 |
| Non-incidental gambling permit | €28,000 | €35,800 |
| Major licenses (lotteries, pools, casino games) | €32,000 | €40,900 |
| Amendment to gambling offer | €8,000 | €10,200 |
| Remote (online) license | €48,000 | €61,300 |
| Online license modification | €8,000 | €10,200 |
According to State Secretary Arno Rutte, the price hike is about keeping the system self-sustaining, with indexation tied to the Kansspelautoriteit’s (KSA) 2026 budget.
KSA’s 2026 Agenda: More Muscle, Sharper Focus
At the same time, the Netherlands Gambling Authority is reorganising and rearming for a more assertive regulatory year. Its Supervisory Agenda 2026 reveals a sharper, tech-aware stance that reflects the pressures of a rapidly evolving market.
KSA has revamped its internal structure into three core directorates:
- Player Protection & Board Advisory
- Licensing & Supervision
- Digitalisation, Analysis & Operations
The new Player Protection department is key to the regulator’s expanded focus on reducing gambling-related harm, especially among young adults.
Top Priority: Choking Off Illegal Gambling
KSA’s number-one concern for 2026? Shutting down the illegal gambling pipeline. With around 90% of Dutch players expected to stick with legal providers, the regulator aims to keep that number high by disrupting the infrastructure behind unlicensed operators.
This year’s strategy calls for tighter collaboration with hosting companies, payment processors, social platforms, and foreign regulators. The KSA also plans to improve its tracking of land-based gambling machines, especially in the wake of bankruptcies, to prevent them from ending up in the black market.
Young Players in the Spotlight
Minors and young adults (18–24) are another focus, with KSA sounding the alarm over their presence on both legal and illegal platforms. The regulator warns that many minors access gambling through accounts held by older acquaintances—an issue that remains poorly policed by illegal sites.
Research is underway using real-time data from the national control database, and based on what emerges, more safeguards could be introduced. Awareness efforts, including enhancements to the Cruks self-exclusion system and a new consumer-facing site called Open over Gokken, are also part of the plan.
Operators Face More Scrutiny on Player Care and Ads
Two more themes—duty of care and advertising—are getting extra attention. Operators will be held to stricter standards when it comes to flagging and responding to risky gambling behaviour. The KSA is actively checking how licensees set playing limits, monitor user habits, and assess players’ financial capacity.
On the ad front, the message is clear: don’t target vulnerable groups. The regulator plans to enforce the ongoing ban on using influencers and other public figures in gambling promotions. It’s also stepping up action against illegal gambling ads, particularly on social media.
AML Rules Tighten the Net
Finally, KSA will enhance oversight under the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act (Wwft). That means more risk-based monitoring of operators, especially around customer due diligence and suspicious transaction reporting.
With new AML rules kicking in this year and a beefed-up European AML Authority on the horizon, Dutch operators should expect more regulatory alignment at the EU level—and more pressure to stay compliant.
