Ace Alliance Horizon & Speed Rome
Ace Alliance Horizon & Speed Rome
Early Bird Passes Available! | November 2, 2026
Get Your Pass!
NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER ADVERTISE WITH US ADVERTISE WITH US
NEWSLETTER ADVERTISE WITH US
Table Of Content :

VNLOK Takes Meta to Court Over Illegal Gambling Ads in the Netherlands

News list page badge
trust
Ace Alliance: Delivering Trust Through Expertise
From exclusive events and interviews to real-time market trends, Ace Alliance brings you unbiased, well-informed, and data-driven content. Our editorial team adheres to strict editorial standards, ensuring that the information you receive is not only relevant but also trustworthy.

Built by market experts hosting events since 2023, with our first event in Riga, Latvia gathering over 300 top level iGaming industry executives, Ace Alliance is able to provide you with reliable information from direct interaction with experts and leaders in the sector.
Altay
Altay Celikkaya
Content Manager
Updated:
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Dutch gambling trade association VNLOK has taken Meta to court over the continued presence of illegal gambling advertising on Facebook and Instagram, escalating months of pressure on the technology company.

In its official announcement, VNLOK said it had summoned Meta before the Amsterdam court as the final step in legal proceedings first announced in June. The association wants the court to determine whether Meta is meeting its obligations under the EU Digital Services Act and to require stronger measures against illegal gambling ads targeting Dutch consumers.

The case has yet to produce a ruling, meaning VNLOK’s allegations against Meta remain claims to be considered by the court.

Meta and VNLOK logos displayed alongside Facebook and Instagram icons with a Dutch flag in the background.

Regulation & Compliance

Key Takeaways From VNLOK’s Case Against Meta

  • VNLOK has summoned Meta to an Amsterdam court over illegal gambling advertising on Facebook and Instagram.

  • The association wants the court to assess Meta’s compliance with the Digital Services Act.

  • VNLOK research found that more than 90% of gambling ads examined on Facebook were linked to operators without a Dutch licence.

  • Meta removed 11% of the illegal ads identified in May and 15% in June, according to VNLOK.

  • The dispute increases pressure on technology platforms as the Netherlands strengthens its response to the illegal gambling market.

VNLOK Escalates Months of Pressure on Meta

VNLOK said its research repeatedly identified high volumes of advertising from operators that are not licensed to offer gambling in the Netherlands. Because many of the ads remain online only briefly, the association argues that removing them after publication is not sufficient and that stronger pre-publication controls are needed.

VNLOK Chairman Björn Fuchs Said:

We have repeatedly pointed out the scale of the problem to Meta and asked them to cooperate structurally in finding a solution.

The dispute is not the first time Meta has faced scrutiny over gambling advertising in the Dutch market. Earlier this year, the KSA reported more than 4,600 illegal ads, primarily involving content appearing across Facebook and Instagram.

Advertising Rules Create a Wider Market Challenge

The legal action comes as licensed operators already work under increasingly restrictive advertising requirements. In March, the KSA issued further guidance on untargeted gambling ads, including requirements designed to prevent promotions from reaching minors, young adults and other vulnerable groups.

This creates a broader B2B concern for licensed operators. Compliance costs and advertising restrictions apply to regulated businesses, while unlicensed brands may still gain visibility through major social platforms.

That imbalance has become part of a wider regulatory debate in the Netherlands. The KSA has previously warned about broader ad restrictions if reduced visibility for licensed brands makes it harder for consumers to distinguish regulated operators from illegal alternatives.

For operators, affiliates and technology platforms, the Meta case could therefore have implications beyond one advertising dispute. The court proceedings will test how responsibilities under the Digital Services Act interact with gambling enforcement and whether major platforms may be required to take more proactive steps before illegal gambling campaigns reach Dutch users.