In response to rising gambling-related debt among young adults, the Netherlands is introducing stringent new controls on the online gambling sector. We outline the nation’s plan to completely ban digital betting advertisements and sign-up incentives. Additionally, we explore the implementation of universal deposit limits, critical upgrades to the national self-exclusion framework (Cruks), and why regulators chose to target illegal offshore sites rather than raising the legal gambling age
In a decisive and highly anticipated move to combat gambling-related harm, the Dutch government has proposed a comprehensive multi-year strategy featuring a near-total ban on online gambling advertising and promotional bonuses. Spearheaded by Justice and Security State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen, the five-year agenda marks a significant turning point in the Netherlands’ approach to its regulated iGaming market, which originally opened in October 2021.
The sweeping new legislative reforms aim to curb rising addiction rates and financial distress, particularly among young adults. Alongside the advertising blackout, the government is introducing stringent financial controls and reinforcing existing self-exclusion frameworks to ensure vulnerable demographics remain fully protected from predatory marketing practices.
The latest policy overhaul, overseen by the Ministry of Justice and Security (JenV) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), targets the gambling industry's most visible aspects. Under the new proposals, licensed operators will be strictly prohibited from launching online advertising campaigns. Furthermore, all promotional incentives, including free bets and sign-up bonuses used to attract new players, will be entirely outlawed.
State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen highlighted the urgency of the reforms, noting a troubling trend of young people accumulating gambling-related debt. To address this, the government will implement a centralized deposit limit applicable across all licensed platforms. Players seeking to exceed this mandatory threshold must undergo rigorous affordability checks. These individual assessments will deeply analyze a player’s financial standing, including any payment arrears, to ensure individuals do not gamble beyond their financial capacity.
The Dutch Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), plays a central role in analyzing market data and enforcing these strict standards. Per official KSA statistics, preliminary loss limits introduced in 2024, capped at €150 for young adults and €350 for older players, successfully reduced average monthly player losses from €116 to €80. Building on this proven success, the new framework will significantly upgrade Cruks, the Netherlands’ national self-exclusion register.
Under the proposed new system, players will have the option to voluntarily register on Cruks for an indefinite period without automatic removal. Additionally, the process will be simplified for family members seeking to legally intervene and register a loved one experiencing severe gambling addiction.
While protection remains paramount, regulators are carefully balancing restrictions to avoid driving active players to unregulated operators. The government formally scrapped previous discussions about raising the minimum gambling age for high-risk products, such as online slots, to 21. Van Bruggen and KSA experts warned that an age hike would inevitably push young adults toward illicit offshore websites offering zero consumer safeguards.
Instead, the government is prioritizing a fierce crackdown on the black market. The KSA will receive enhanced enforcement tools to aggressively disrupt the operational infrastructure of illegal sites. By coordinating directly with financial institutions, payment providers, and internet hosting platforms, Dutch authorities aim to identify and dismantle unauthorized networks while fostering a safer, strictly regulated domestic ecosystem for all participants.
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