The Dutch Gambling Authority has reported more than 4,600 illegal gambling advertisements to Meta after finding unlicensed promotions across Facebook and Instagram in April.
The regulator said illegal gambling marketing remains one of its enforcement priorities, with offshore operators using social media to reach Dutch consumers and steer them toward sites without a local license.
Unlicensed operators are using athletes and brands
The KSA said many illegal operators use the names and logos of well-known Dutch athletes and large brands to make their ads look more trustworthy. That makes it harder for users to tell whether a gambling site is licensed in the Netherlands.
The regulator said social media plays a central role in the infrastructure used by illegal operators. Its response includes reporting ads to media platforms, working with partner organizations and targeting the systems that help unlicensed sites reach consumers.
Online gambling is only legal in the Netherlands when the operator holds a Dutch license. Licensed operators are subject to player protection rules, while illegal sites sit outside that system.
Meta reports are part of a larger enforcement push
The April reports followed a meeting between the KSA and partners from the public and private sectors. The group discussed trends in illegal gambling advertising, the use of social platforms and ways companies can protect their trademarks from misuse.
The KSA said it will use the findings from that meeting to sharpen its approach. The regulator has already worked with partners on mass reporting of illegal gambling ads in Google search results, which it said helped reduce visibility for illegal sponsors last year.
The scale of the problem remains large. The regulator’s 2025 reporting estimated that tens of thousands of illegal gambling ads were appearing each month through social media channels.
Under-24 advertising rules add more pressure
The update comes as Dutch gambling advertising rules remain under close political and regulatory review. The Netherlands banned untargeted gambling advertising in 2023, and licensed operators are not allowed to target players under 24.
A recent review of Meta Ad Library data found that some gambling ads from licensed Dutch operators still reached age groups that included 18 to 23-year-olds. The issue was more common among offline license holders than online operators.
The Dutch coalition government has also explored a full online gambling advertising ban. Industry groups have warned that cutting off licensed advertising too far could make it harder for consumers to tell legal operators from illegal sites.
