Dutch Online Gambling Licences Expire in October 2026

Dutch Online Gambling Licences Expire in October 2026 – Operators Face Renewal Decisions Amid Tight Regulation

Key Takeaways

• The initial five-year online gambling licences issued after the 2021 re-regulation will begin expiring in October 2026.
• Holland Casino, Bingoal, and Nederlandse Loterij-owned TOTO Online have secured five-year extensions starting 1 October 2026 following review by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).
• Several leading brands, including BetCity, bet365, Kansino and Fair Play, have licences due for renewal in late 2026.
• The Dutch market operates under strict advertising bans and a gambling tax rate that increased to 37.8 percent on 1 January 2026.
• Industry bodies estimate that around 25 percent of gambling activity in 2025 took place on the black market, while the KSA reported a decline in the legal market’s GGR share early last year.

Five-Year Licence Cycle Reaches First Expiry Point

The Dutch online gambling market reopened in October 2021 under the Remote Gambling Act, known locally as KOA. At that time, operators were granted licences valid for five years. Those first approvals are now approaching their expiry date, with 1 October 2026 marking the end of the initial cycle for many companies.

Several operators have already completed the renewal process. Holland Casino, Bingoal, and TOTO Online, which is owned by Nederlandse Loterij, confirmed that they received five-year licence extensions beginning on 1 October 2026. These extensions followed a review by the national regulator, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).

For users of regulated betting and casino platforms in the Netherlands, licence renewals determine which brands can continue to operate legally from October onward.

Market Leaders and Upcoming Renewal Deadlines

According to market share data from Blask, TOTO currently holds the largest share of the Dutch market. Holland Casino ranks seventh, while Bingoal is placed 25th.

Unibet is the second most popular brand in the Netherlands. Because it entered the market one year after re-regulation, its licence runs until 8 June 2027. Parent company FDJ United therefore faces its renewal process at a later stage. In its first-quarter financial report, FDJ recorded a 19.9 percent regional revenue decline, compared with a 42.1 percent drop for the full year 2025.

BetCity, which ranks third by market share, faces a more immediate deadline. Its licence is due to expire on 1 October 2026. The brand was acquired by Entain in 2023 and is included in the group’s international reporting segment. Entain reported a 1 percent year-on-year increase in international revenue in the first quarter, with online gaming revenue up 8 percent. BetCity has also faced regulatory scrutiny. In March, it admitted to breaching marketing rules relating to young adults. More recently, the KSA contacted the operator over the use of role models in marketing during the World Cup.

bet365, ranked fourth by Blask, was approved for entry on 1 October 2021. Its licence is therefore also due for extension this October. As a privately held company, bet365 does not publish detailed country-by-country financial data.

Other Operators Approaching Expiry

OneCasino, placed fifth in market share rankings, has a licence valid until 5 October 2027.

Brands owned by JVH Gaming and Entertainment also face staggered deadlines. 711, ranked sixth, has until 16 March 2027. Jacks.nl, ranked eighth, must renew by 20 November 2026.

Kansino, operated by Malta-based Play North Limited, ranks ninth in market share. It was among the first to launch after re-regulation and now faces a licence expiry in October 2026.

Fair Play, the online brand of the Janshen-Hahnraths Group, is ranked tenth and also has a licence expiring on 1 October 2026.

ComeOn, currently ranked 17th, holds a licence valid until 6 September 2027. The company is notable for its 2025 agreement to manage evoke’s 888 brand in the Netherlands using its Dutch licence. Since returning to the market, 888 Casino ranks 19th and 888 Sport ranks 27th, according to Blask.

Regulatory and Tax Environment Shapes Renewal Decisions

The Dutch market initially launched with 10 licence holders and has since expanded to more than 30. Growth was accompanied by political and public criticism, particularly concerning the visibility of gambling advertising.

In response, the government introduced several restrictions. In May 2022, it approved a ban on the use of role models such as celebrities and professional athletes in gambling advertisements. From 1 July 2023, untargeted advertising across television, radio, social media, and print was banned. On 1 July 2025, a prohibition on sports sponsorship by betting companies came into effect.

In 2026, the government is planning a full ban on all betting and gambling advertising.

Taxation has also increased. The gambling tax rate was set at 34.2 percent in 2025 and rose to 37.8 percent on 1 January 2026. Some operators have exited the market under this framework. LiveScore Group withdrew in 2024.

Industry body VNLOK estimated that around 25 percent of Dutch gambling activity in 2025 occurred on the black market. The KSA reported that the legal market’s share of gross gaming revenue fell to about 49 percent early last year.

Our Assessment

The October 2026 licence expiry marks the first major renewal test for operators that entered the Dutch market after re-regulation in 2021. Several leading brands have already secured extensions, while others face imminent deadlines. These renewal processes take place against a backdrop of strict advertising bans, rising tax rates, and reported growth in unlicensed gambling activity. For market participants and users, the outcome of these renewals will determine which platforms remain legally available in the Netherlands from October onward.