In this guide, we discuss the legal situation surrounding Netherlands betting sites, and what you should consider while betting on sports online in the country.
- Betting in the Netherlands – The Current Situation
- Gambling Regulations in the Netherlands for Gamblers
- Gambling Regulations in the Netherlands for Betting Sites
- How To Choose the Best Betting Sites in the Netherlands
- What a Bookmaker Needs to Operate in the Netherlands
- Which Sports Are Popular in the Netherlands?
- Popular Payment Methods available for Netherlands Bettors
- How To Deposit at Dutch Betting Sites
- Other Country Betting Guides – Click Each Flag To Learn More
- Best Netherlands Betting Sites FAQs
- ThePuntersPage Final Say
- Sources
Betting in the Netherlands – The Current Situation
Attention!
Gambling in The Netherlands is 18+. Bonuses are only eligible for players 24+.
The Remote Gambling Act (KOA) came into force on 1st April 2021 and brought about big changes for the better, as far as gamblers are concerned.
The most important takeaway from the whole document is that, on 1st October 2021, new licences became available for both international and Dutch betting sites. At the time of writing, there are now 24 operators who hold Dutch licences, and are safe to bet with.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in the Netherlands?
Yes, as long as you are betting with one of the online licensed bookmakers recognised by the Netherlands Gaming Control Board, then it’s perfectly legal.
Once you ensure that your chosen bookmaker hold all the necessary credentials, you can go ahead and sign up with total peace of mind.
How Betting in The Netherlands Became Legal
Up until 2021, the sports betting monopoly in the Netherlands was run by De Lotto and Scientific Games Racing B.V. It was in fact illegal for any offshore operator to offer any form of online gambling in the country, since a single licence hadn’t yet been given out.
Despite this, the Dutch government had failed to control the illegal market, and hundreds of operators abroad were still offering their services to Dutch users.
Fast forward to today, and bookies are now being regulated by the Netherlands Gambling Authority, who impose strict regulations on licensed operators.
It's important that you use a licensed site when betting in the Netherlands. Once you do so, you can benefit from all the great free bet bonuses and betting promotions available.
The Future of Regulated Gambling in the Netherlands
With the Remote Gambling Act introduced in 2021, a lot has changed for many gambling websites. Online gambling is now officially and formally legalised, and big international brands like bet365, for instance, can now reach and serve Dutch players freely, as long as they have a KSA licence.
However, the strict regulations have led to the exodus of every betting exchange which was available in the Netherlands. So far, there are no sites offering the product, but this could change in the future.
Moreover, in 2023, as part of the Kansspelautoriteit 2020 -2024 Strategy, as of 1 July 2023, operators have been banned from using most forms of ads. They can only use targeted adverts to customers over 24, and will have to provide evidence of this too. The age limit also applies to welcome offers and all other types of promotions.
Gambling Regulations in the Netherlands for Gamblers
As an indepedent gambling regulator in the Netherlands, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) have made efforts to ensure that Dutch punters are kept safe when gambling.
KSA License
It’s important to only use a gambling site licensed by KSA. Otherwise, you are at risk of gambling illegally.
The best way to know that the bookie you are using is licensed is by locating this seal of approval. If it isn't shown either at the top or bottom of the front page, you are likely accessing an illegal site.
Age Limits
The legal age for gambling in the Netherlands is 18, with no exceptions allowed. To register with an account at an online betting site, you must prove your age and identity with the correct documents.
In order to claim a welcome bonus, you must be over the age of 24.
Responsible Gambling
To help you gamble responsibly, KSA has launched a new website for their self exclusion platform, cruksregister.nl. Each betting site is required to check the list of people registered for self exclusion on Cruks before accepting a new customer.
If you feel like you need a ‘reflection period’ at any time to take a break from gambling or stop betting entirely, you have the option to stop gambling for 6 months up to 99 years.
Gambling Regulations in the Netherlands for Betting Sites
KSA Licensing
Operators must obtain a licence with The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) to be eligible to operate legally in the country.
Responsible Gambling
It is the bookmaker’s responsibility to ensure players are gambling responsibly and have available tools to monitor their betting behaviour.
The Netherlands have gone to great lengths to promote responsible gambling and make every effort to minimise frequent betting among younger punters (those who fall between the age range of 18-24). In fact, KSA’s 2020 – 2024 strategy has introduced a few updates as of 1 July 2023:
- Operators cannot use untargeted campaigns to advertise to punters.
- They can only advertise to customers over 24, and they cannot target vulnerable people either.
How To Choose the Best Betting Sites in the Netherlands
With all the options available, choosing which online betting site to open an account with might be overwhelming for some. To help you out with this, we’ve listed some advice for you to keep in mind:
- 1. Safety
When it comes to safety, you can never be too careful! While it’s always vital to register with an operator you can trust, this is especially important in the Netherlands. Since the Remote Gambling Act already puts operators under scrutiny, though, Dutch punters won't find it hard to find a licensed bookmaker.
- 2. Payments
Many of the best Dutch betting sites accept various forms of payment including credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. The use of iDEAL is the best feature on most sites, allowing you to deposit and withdraw from any bank account.
Find an online betting site which allows Dutch customers to place bets in euros to avoid paying hefty exchange rates.
- 3. Odds
You won’t get good value on your bets if your sportsbook isn’t offering you good prices. Use our odds overround calculator to find out a bet's profit margin and determine whether you’re getting your money’s worth.
- 4. Promotions
It is customary for the best betting sites to offer new customers a welcome bonus or a sign-up offer. This normally comes in the form of free bet credits, risk-free bets, or other similar promotions.
We don’t recommend using bonuses if you are below the age of 24.
- 5. Sports
As is the case with every bookmaker in the world, the more sports offered, the better. A bookie with a wide range is generally more reliable, and the added sports give you the chance to bet on new markets.
All our bookies provide an excellent range of sports, but some sites specialise in a particular few.
However, unless you’re planning on using a VPN, some products are unavailable in the country. Chief amongst these are betting exchanges, which are legal but are not offered by any licensed bookies at the time of writing.
- 6. Apps
While many Netherlands betting sites can boast some form of mobile platform, Circus.nl stands out with a brilliant app available for both Apple and Android.
The app is a great extension of the site and features much of the same sports, markets and odds, making it great for punters who are no strangers to a bit of travelling or to anyone who may prefer their phone over a computer to make bets.
What a Bookmaker Needs to Operate in the Netherlands
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It is now mandatory for bettors to set maximum credit limits on their online sports betting accounts, while operators are expected to have a responsible gambling strategy in place.
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Ads can only target punters over the age of 24.
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Ads cannot target vulnerable groups.
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A minimum of 95% of advertising reaches people 24+.
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Customer service agents must be able to communicate in Dutch.
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Dutch players’ identity must be verified before registration can be finalised.
Which Sports Are Popular in the Netherlands?
Steeped in sporting history, many sporting legends have hailed from Dutch soil. Johann Cruyff in football, Fanny Blankers-Koen in athletics, and Michael van Gerwen in darts are just a few in the long list of greats. But which sports are the most popular for betting on?
Football
Football is the most popular sport in the Netherlands, which is unsurprising given the countless players that have mesmerised in the trademark orange national team shirt.
The Eredivisie is the top league in the country, featuring storied clubs such as Ajax, Feyenoord, and PSV.
Of course, the English Premier League is the most followed league worldwide, and is therefore home to loads of popular betting markets.
Another very popular competition is the UEFA Champions League, which features many big matches throughout the season. From the 2024/25 season onwards, the Dutch Eredivisie champions and runners-up will automatically qualify to the Champions League. The third placed team will have to go through the qualification stages.
Hockey
Hockey is another popular sport, with the Netherlands having proudly organised the 2014 Hockey World Cup in the Hague – a cup the Dutch team has won three times.
The success of both the women's and men's teams on the world stage has led to an exponential growth of the sport in the Netherlands. This is especially true for the women’s game, as they have won the last three Hockey World Cups in a row, bringing their all-time total to nine.
Darts
Darts is a brilliant spectator sport as it offers a unique ‘pub-like’ atmosphere. Many events take place in the Netherlands, including the Dutch Masters and one leg of the Darts Premier League.
The Dutch can boast quite a few great darts players, with by far the best two being Michael Van Gerwin and Raymond van Barneveld. The latter have won multiple Darts World Cups and Darts World Championships, as well as many other major competitions in the sport.
Other sports the Dutch are enthusiastic about are volleyball, cycling, horse racing, tennis, golf, MMA, UFC, and gymnastics.
Popular Payment Methods available for Netherlands Bettors
In an attempt to control the market, the Dutch government has tried to block transactions with online bookmakers in the past. However, the online gambling market, banks and payment service providers weren’t having it. With the government’s efforts having proven unsuccessful, there are a number of payment options available to choose from.
Credit/Debit Cards
The traditional payment methods for many punters are credit and debit cards, such as Visa and Mastercard, which are trusted worldwide. They’re reliable with high payment limits, but their processing times may be slower compared to e-wallets.
iDEAL
This Dutch-based secure payment provider is supremely popular amongst punters and is supported at every Netherlands betting site. Depositing is instant without any processing fees and is arguably the most secure way to go.
All you need to do is select it during check out, choose your bank, and follow the instructions as you normally would. In a way, it also serves as an encryption service for your bank transfers.
Bank Transfer
With so many restrictions, bank transfers could be the most hassle-free of the lot. When withdrawing winnings, bookmakers can only send funds through bank transfers.
Skrill, NETELLER, and Cryptocurrencies
If you’re planning on using e-wallets, as well as cryptocurrencies, you’ll need to use iDEAL as the payment provider. All you need to do is choose Skrill, NETELLER or your crypto banks as an option.
How To Deposit at Dutch Betting Sites
The depositing process may differ slightly depending on the bookmaker, but the general outline is always the same:
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First you must register a new account – this can typically be found on the top right of the page.
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Enter the ‘My Account’ section of the site to view your settings and various options.
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You will find the options to deposit and withdraw displayed here – select deposit.
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Choose your preferred payment method and the amount of funds you would like to transfer.
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Once that’s done, confirm your transaction, and your money should be deposited instantly into your account.
Other Country Betting Guides – Click Each Flag To Learn More
Planning on taking a holiday, or relocating for good to one of these countries? These articles will keep you up to date on all you need to know about betting in a specific location.
Looking for a general overview of betting abroad? Check out our extensive international betting guide.
Best Netherlands Betting Sites FAQs
Yes, it is. The Netherlands Gambling Authority doesn’t restrict any online gaming, meaning that a player engaging in the activity cannot be prosecuted. Dutch bettors don’t need to worry about this.
Since the recent Remote Gambling Act, both the online sports betting market as well as the online casino market have become legal. Licensed bookmakers can now offer betting odds, and bettors can place legal sports bets in a safe and regulated market.
The majority of sports bets in the Netherlands are placed on football. The Dutch are also into hockey and horse racing in particular.
If it’s sports betting you are after, we highly recommend bet365, with their renowned sportsbook second to none within the industry.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
Whether you’re betting while on holiday or you’ve made the Netherlands your home, it’s always important to know the legality surrounding online betting.
With a clear legal framework now in place, the Dutch market continues to open up, with locals now able to enjoy diverse betting options. Dutch punters can also look forward to a range of sports and events to wager on, along with a vibrant and exciting betting landscape online. So, place your bets wisely, and may good luck be on your side!
Sources
Coefficient success: Netherlands Secure Second Direct Champions League ticket (2023) Football Oranje. Available at: http://www.football-oranje.com/coefficient-success-netherlands-secure-second-direct-champions-league-ticket/#:~:text=That%20means%20two%20sides%20from,huge%20boost%20for%20the%20Eredivisie.