Regulated Dutch iGaming Market has Officially Opened and Welcomed the First Operators

On October 1, the Netherlands officially launched the regulated online gambling market after many days of delay. This iGaming event marked a major turning point for the Dutch online gambling industry in 2021.

Previously prohibited, the opening to the fully regulated Dutch market was passed and subsequent enforcement of the delayed KOA (Remote Gambling Act) most recently in September 2020.

KOA has initially been planned to be launched on July 1, 2020, and start opening in 2021. However, the launch was not as smooth as expected and was repeatedly delayed twice within 6 months, from October 2019 and September 2020.

But now, Dutch gambling fans can fully participate in the online gambling industry when there are 10 operators officially licensed to operate.

KOA is now officially in operation and promises to become one of the most attractive markets in Europe after being delayed twice.

Sharing with the press, Rene Jansen, chairman of Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), said, "Today is an important step towards opening the legal market of online games of chance."

There Will be More Licensed Operators than 10

The Dutch market completed its opening recently, and KSA has licensed 10 operators and is looking at adding more.

KSA's license holders are mostly well-known names in the European market, including Bet365, Belgian Bingoal, UK-based Tombola, Malta- and Estonia-licensed Play North Ltd. 

Dutch land-based operator Holland Casino NV and the country's state lottery, Nederlandse Loterij, are also respected names to operate here officially.

The last two names that have been licensed after meeting the strict criteria of the KSA are the Janshen Hahnraths Group, NSUS Malta, and LiveScore Malta.

The regulator is also expected to allow more operators to enter the market in the coming weeks and months.

"Other providers may also be interested, but they are waiting to submit an application because they are not ready yet," added Jansen.

Jansen further explained that operators need to meet and complete rigorous checks to be legalized. However, he also asserts that there will undoubtedly be more licensees.

Entain, Betsson, LeoVegas, and Kindred Group are also moving to enter the Dutch market iGaming, having announced that they will stop placing bets from Dutch players from 1st October to increase their chances of winning a