Home News Netherlands Reports Removal of 856 Illegal Gambling Apps in First Nine Months of 2026

Netherlands Reports Removal of 856 Illegal Gambling Apps in First Nine Months of 2026

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Altay Celikkaya

Content Manager

Updated: 11/11/26

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Google and Apple removed 856 illegal gambling apps from their stores in the Netherlands during the first nine months of 2026, according to newly published Dutch government figures.

Of these removals, 71 followed direct reports from the Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA). The figures were disclosed on 10 November 2026 in parliamentary responses concerning the Ministry of Justice and Security’s 2027 budget.

The findings highlight cooperation between gambling regulators and technology platforms in restricting access to unlicensed gambling services.

Amsterdam canal houses and Dutch flag illustrating the crackdown on illegal gambling apps.

Regulation & Compliance

Key Takeaways From the Dutch Illegal Gambling App Figures

Google and Apple removed 856 illegal gambling apps between January and September 2026.
The KSA directly reported 71 of these apps, more than double the 33 reported removals recorded throughout 2025.
Technology companies independently removed many applications before regulatory intervention was necessary.
The figures demonstrate the growing role of app stores in tackling illegal gambling distribution.

KSA Reports 71 Illegal Gambling Apps to Google and Apple

According to the Dutch Parliament’s official response, the KSA identifies illegal gambling applications through its investigations and reports submitted by consumers and industry stakeholders.

The regulator has reported suspicious applications to Apple’s App Store since August 2024 and Google’s Play Store since May 2025.

The ministry said:

All apps that the KSA reports to Google and Apple are removed.

However, most removals did not require direct KSA intervention. Both technology companies independently identify and remove applications, meaning some disappear before the regulator completes its investigations.

The figures cover app-store removals rather than website blocking or the closure of gambling operators.

How Do the Latest Figures Compare With Previous Years?

The government’s response also provides historical data showing how enforcement activity has developed.

In 2025, Google and Apple removed 1,021 illegal gambling apps, including 33 following KSA reports.

For 2024, the authorities recorded 36 removals, with 15 linked to regulatory notifications.

Although the 2026 total covers only nine months, removals following direct KSA intervention have already exceeded the previous full-year figure.

These findings complement the regulator’s wider work with digital platforms. In October, the KSA announced plans to develop an EU-wide allowlist of licensed gambling operators with Google.

The proposed system aims to help distinguish authorised gambling businesses from unlicensed providers in digital advertising.

Dutch Regulators Target Illegal Gambling Across Digital Platforms

App-store enforcement forms part of a broader effort to disrupt the distribution and promotion of illegal gambling services.

Earlier in 2026, the KSA reported more than 4,600 illegal gambling advertisements to Meta, highlighting concerns about unauthorised operators reaching Dutch consumers through social media.

The authority has also extended scrutiny to gambling suppliers. In November, it ordered Endorphina to prevent its games from appearing on unlicensed casino websites.

These measures address different parts of the illegal gambling ecosystem, from advertising and app distribution to gaming content supply.

What Does This Mean for iGaming Operators?

For licensed operators, affiliates and B2B technology providers, the figures highlight the importance of verifying distribution channels and maintaining effective controls against unauthorised gambling content.

The latest parliamentary disclosure does not introduce new licensing requirements or app-store obligations. Instead, it provides measurable evidence of existing enforcement cooperation.

As the Netherlands continues targeting illegal gambling, coordination between regulators and technology companies remains an important component of digital market oversight.