Learn about casino gambling in the Netherlands, Kansspelautoriteit licenses, how they compare to other regulators, and key FAQs about KSA casinos.
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The Kansspelautoriteit license is a legal gambling permit issued by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the gambling authority of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands once had a tightly restricted gambling market, but that all changed when the Remote Gambling Act Netherlands took effect on April 1, 2021. This new law legalized online gambling in the country and opened the door for operators to apply for licenses through the Kansspelautoriteit.
It also introduced strict Know Your Customer processes, anti-money laundering requirements, and more stringent rules for player protection and gambling advertising.
Today, the Netherlands’ gambling industry is competitive and closely regulated. This includes both Dutch operators and international gambling platforms that meet the regulator’s strict standards for fair gaming, player protection, and responsible gambling.
The Dutch government has a monopoly over the gambling industry in the Netherlands, so if you do not have a KSA license, you cannot offer any form of gambling in the country. This includes games of skill for money as well as traditional types of gambling, like casino games, sports wagering, horse racing betting, and lottery-style games.
The Kansspelautoriteit only regulates gambling in the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (i.e., the Netherlands itself). The other countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten) and its three special municipalities (Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius) have their own gambling regulations.
As the Kansspelautoriteit says on its official website, a KSA license tells players that a licensed operator is being closely supervised by a trusted government regulator. This oversight ensures a safe environment for players and that the games are fair. It also guarantees that the operator is responsible for monitoring players and that it will take proactive steps to stop a player from exceeding their limits.
In other words, a KSA license tells players that a site is legit, fair, and not trying to rip them off. In addition to protecting users from fraud and problem gambling, the gambling regulator must also ensure game fairness through Random Number Generator (RNG) technology, oversee gambling advertising practices, and prevent illegal gambling activities.
The Dutch government also has a robust regulatory and oversight system, so players who feel they are wronged can seek help from the KSA to take action against licensed sites that break Dutch law. On the other hand, playing at unlicensed sites does not come with these same guarantees.
KSA casino licenses are designed specifically for the Netherlands gambling market, so it has some differences from other common casino licenses in Europe and around the world. Let’s look at these differences by comparing Kansspelautoriteit requirements with those of two of the world’s strictest gambling regulators - the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
All three of the UKGC, MGA, and KSA have robust player protection requirements that aim to protect users from problem gambling, unfair games, and fraud, but the KSA is well known for being extra intense. Dutch online casinos have to comply with many advertising rules and must follow strict responsible gambling guidelines.
KSA licenses are for online casinos in the Netherlands, while the UKGC is exclusively for Britain. Operators secure these licenses to operate in those markets. Alternatively, the MGA and other similar small remote gambling licenses typically are for companies that want to establish an EU presence while serving “gray markets” without formal licensing requirements.
Securing a KSA license requires significant investment in the Netherlands and paying pretty high taxes. The UKGC requires less investment but applies standard UK taxes. Malta has low taxes and requires little investment apart from standard oversight and reporting costs.
The Kansspelautoriteit maintains and regularly updates a full Register of Licensees that anyone can use to verify KSA licenses. The register has a simple search tool, so you just need to enter the company name, website, app, or license number to verify the license status.
If you can’t find a site’s license number, KSA casinos typically clearly disclose their licensing information at the bottom of each page. You’ll find this detailed alongside information like the casino’s parent company, responsible gambling tools, and more. If you don’t see this information, the casino might not have a license, so you should approach it with caution until you do more research.
Any unlicensed site claiming to have a KSA license should be reported to Dutch regulators. You can do this on the Kansspelautoriteit website through its email address or by phone at 070 302 13 00.
The Kansspelautoriteit was founded in 2012 as “an independent administrative body and the supervisor and regulator of gambling services in the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.”
Since 2012, KSA license rules have been regularly updated to keep pace with the evolving online gambling industry and address concerns from players and iGaming operators. Most recently, the Dutch government completely overhauled its online gambling rules in 2021 with a new Remote Gambling Act (Wet Kansspelen op afstand, Koa). This law created new advertising rules, responsible gambling requirements, and licensing criteria.
Advertising regulations were again fine-tuned in 2025 with a new ban on licensed providers of online gambling sponsoring sports clubs or competitions. The government also introduced a new type of KSA license available to companies operating “skill machines,” or games that depend “entirely or almost entirely on the skill of the player.”
There are no other major upcoming changes to the KSA license. However, the Dutch legal system is very dynamic. New laws and updates to existing regulations are published twice a year. These changes are usually minor ones, but with increased scrutiny on online gambling in Europe, there is always a chance for regulators to introduce large changes.
What is the KSA license?
The KSA license is a legal gambling permit issued by the Kansspelautoriteit, the top gambling regulator in the Netherlands. The Dutch government issues licenses for both online and land-based casinos and sportsbooks, in addition to regulating other categories like lottery-style games and horse racing betting.
Are players from all countries allowed to use KSA casinos?
No. Kansspelautoriteit licenses apply only to the Netherlands, so are only available for Dutch players. That said, many casinos with KSA licenses are international brands that are available in many other countries with other casino licenses.
How can I check if a casino’s Kansspelautoriteit License is valid and up to date?
The official Kansspelautoriteit website has a license register where you can check the status of any KSA license. The register is available in English, Dutch, and other languages. All you have to do is search the company name, website, app, or license number.
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