KSA issues first eight online licence renewals

The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has issued eight online gambling licence renewals, marking the first time licences have come up for renewal since the market launched in 2021. The renewals, announced on Thursday, will enable operators to continue legal operations in the Netherlands from 1 October 2026 through to 30 September 2031.

Recipients include TOTO Online BV (brands: TOTO, Winnitt), Holland Casino NV (Holland Casino Online), Play North Limited (Kansino), FPO Nederland BV (FairPlay Casino), Bingoal Nederland BV (Bingoal), Hillside (New Media Malta) Plc (Bet365), NSUS Malta Limited (GG Poker), and Betent BV (Betcity). The selection reflects a mix of both local and internationally-based operators.

Stricter Scrutiny for Compliance Failures

Compared to the 2021 licensing round, the KSA adopted a more stringent approach to its renewal process, following new policy rules set out in September 2025. Operators that faced compliance enforcement during their first five years in the Netherlands were required to explain how they had learned from previous mistakes and how they intended to prevent recurrence.

The regulator warned that insufficient explanations could result in permit denial or additional conditions and restrictions. This requirement initially raised concerns among operators worried that barriers to entry could become more restrictive. However, at a meeting on the policies last year, the regulator assured licensees it was not enforcing a specific strict rule.

Bjorn Fuchs, chairman of VNLOK, told iGB at the time that “there was a sigh of relief going through the room when it was presented.” He noted that operators with a clean sheet would face some hoops but could submit declarations of compliance for various modules, making the process less burdensome than initially feared.

New Exit Plan Requirement

All submissions must now include an exit plan, a new obligation that applies across the board. This requirement, intended to ensure orderly market withdrawal, marks a move toward embedding long-term risk management into the licensing process. Operators must describe in detail how they will responsibly wind down operations should their licence not be renewed, be revoked, or if they decide to leave the market midway through the five-year period.

The regulator noted that several operators received “additional points for attention,” indicating that while these applicants met minimum legal thresholds, the KSA expected continuous improvements in compliance practices.

Market Consolidation Continues

The list reflects operators that were previously active in the market, meaning no new operators have received approval to operate so far. Both LiveScore and Tombola, who were part of the original 10 operators to receive a licence, exited the market in 2024. The final list of renewals will indicate how many operators have decided not to remain in the Dutch market.

Among the renewed operators, TOTO Online BV was reported in June for violating the ban on featuring role models in advertising materials. This was not the first time TOTO has been in trouble with KSA, having been fined in 2022 for gambling advertisements seemingly aimed at young people.

The initial 2021 licences are set to expire at the end of September 2026, with all licence holders required to submit applications for the subsequent five-year period covering 2026 to 2031.