Dutch lawmakers have backed stronger action against illegal gambling operators but remain divided over restrictions on the regulated market. During a three-hour committee debate, MPs called for faster blocking of unlicensed websites and tougher action against platforms hosting or promoting illegal gambling advertising.
State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen described the fight against illegal gambling as a priority and pledged to give regulators stronger tools.
Netherlands prepares DNS blocking
Between June and August 2026, 39 illegal gambling apps were removed from app stores following reports to Apple and Google.
The next step could be DNS blocking of foreign gambling websites. Van Bruggen said existing Dutch legislation does not yet provide a sufficiently clear legal basis for requiring internet providers to block such sites.
She also stressed that the issue cannot easily be addressed at national level because illegal operators often use servers and payment routes across multiple countries. The Netherlands therefore plans to strengthen cooperation with European partners.
Van Bruggen also intends to increase pressure on Meta and Google over illegal gambling advertising.
MPs divided over age limits and advertising
The strongest disagreements centred on regulation of the legal market.
ChristenUnie called for a complete gambling advertising ban and for the minimum gambling age to be raised to 21. SGP went further by calling for online gambling to be legalised no longer at all.
CDA proposed reducing the number of licences and creating a central access portal with strict limits, while SP called for higher fines and stronger enforcement of the Cruks self-exclusion system.
D66, however, warned that further restrictions on licensed operators could drive consumers towards illegal websites where Cruks, duty-of-care requirements and limits do not apply.
Forum for Democracy argued that the government should preserve freedom of choice for players who do not display problematic gambling behaviour.
Van Bruggen rejected an immediate increase of the minimum age to 21, saying evidence is first needed that the measure would reduce harm without pushing young consumers towards illegal operators. She also rejected a complete advertising ban and instead focused on higher-risk online products.
Government to consider further restrictions
Van Bruggen said the government will examine higher fines for illegal operators and the possibility of banning gambling with borrowed money.
Authorities will also consider how player identity data can be used in regulatory supervision and will strengthen cooperation with European partners.
Legislation enabling DNS blocking of foreign gambling sites is expected to be developed following consultations planned for early 2027.
The debate will be followed by a short plenary session where MPs can submit motions on unresolved issues including age limits, advertising and sanctions.
Meanwhile, October 1, 2026 marks the expiry of the first five-year licences issued when the Dutch regulated online gambling market opened. This creates an additional question for policymakers over how those licences should be renewed.
