The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), recently announced a new rule that requires operators to submit an exit plan while applying for a licence. Operators must also submit an AML risk analysis report to initiate the process. The new regulation will come into effect on January 1, 2026, ahead of the licence renewal window.
A Quick Glance at the Dutch Gambling Reforms Ahead of January 2026
- The KSA mandates an exit plan and an AML risk assessment report when applying for a gambling licence. The rule applies to new applicants as well as existing operators planning to renew their Dutch gambling licence.
- The KSA has confirmed that operators who choose not to comply with the new rules could have their applications rejected. This also applies to existing operators who wish to renew their KSA gambling licence.
- Once issued, Dutch gambling licences are valid for five years. The market opened on October 1, 2021. While existing licence holders can operate till October 2026, businesses that wish to continue operating must apply for an early renewal.
KSA Prepares New Gambling Regulations
According to the KSA’s press release dated September 2, 2025, the regulator has amended the policy rules for remote gambling operators, which will take effect starting January 1, 2026. Under the updated legislation, any operator that wishes to apply for a new iGaming licence or extend an existing permit must submit additional paperwork.
Documents include an exit plan in case the licence application is rejected, along with an AML compliance report. This is part of the government’s broader efforts to regulate the remote gambling market. To illustrate, earlier in July, Dutch authorities banned gambling sponsorship in sports, preventing gaming companies from placing ads or sponsoring sports teams and events.
According to the new Policy Rules of the Board of Directors of the Gaming Authority, operators must submit a document explaining how they plan to wrap up operations in the Netherlands if their licensing application is rejected. Additionally, licensees are required to submit a risk analysis report in accordance with the Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act.
Existing Operators Must Prove Their Reliability for Licence Renewal
Operators who currently hold a Dutch gambling licence must follow a separate procedure when applying for renewal. The KSA will assess the operator’s player protection measures and advertising policies. Additionally, operators planning to start an online casino business must declare that their control database complies with the regulations.
The KSA deliberately set a five-year lifespan for gambling licences. This allows them to analyse the track record of licence holders before granting an extension. According to the KSA press release:
Providers who have made mistakes in the past 5 years must explain in the application procedure how they have learned from previous mistakes and how they will prevent recurrence. If the KSA finds that explanation insufficient, the permit can be refused or additional conditions and restrictions can be imposed.
The KSA is hopeful that the reformed laws will allow it to maintain greater control over the sector. Rising tax rates and growing regulatory pressure have increased the proliferation of illegal gambling platforms in the Netherlands. Licensed gambling operators had previously gathered at the Gaming in Holland (GiH) Conference 2025 to address pressing issues.