The Netherlands’ regulated online gambling market, overseen by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has reported stable growth since its launch in October 2021. While the pace of expansion has slowed, it remains in line with expectations set by the regulator.
Market Maturation and License Growth
Since its inception, the Dutch online gambling market has progressed significantly, with the number of active licenses increasing from an initial 10 to 27 operators. Notably, LeoVegas recently joined the market, contributing to this growth.
Gross Gaming Result (BSR) Trends
Gross gaming result (BSR), the net gambling revenue, has naturally expanded in tandem with the market’s growth. However, recent data indicates that this growth may be reaching a plateau. Over the 12 months from August 2022 to July 2023, the BSR stood at €1.3 billion. While revenue surged by 33 percent from August 2022 to January 2023, it moderated to an 8 percent increase from January 2023 to August 2023.
KSA’s Perspective
KSA Chairman René Jansen provided insights into the market’s trajectory, stating, “Our fifth monitoring report shows that the gaming market continues to grow, even if it is levelling off. This means that the market is developing as expected. The continued growth ensures increasing responsibility among providers. The KSA continues to strictly monitor that Dutch players can gamble in a safe market with sufficient attention to addiction prevention and insight into possible problem gaming behaviour. Duty of care and addiction prevention are a crucial part of our monitoring.”
Advertising Restrictions and Legislative Considerations
In July, the Netherlands implemented a ban on untargeted gambling advertisements, which could potentially impact revenue in the upcoming reports. Additionally, the Dutch government has expressed a willingness to consider amendments to gambling legislation following the KSA’s call for reforms that would grant the regulator enhanced monitoring powers. A recent report also recommended the implementation of mandatory gambling limits in the Netherlands.
Channelisation Targets Met
Despite the evolving landscape, the report indicates that the Netherlands is successfully meeting its channelisation targets. It is estimated that 93 percent of players are using regulated sites, marking a 1 percent increase from six months earlier.