Dutch Gambling Authority Cracks Down on Non-Official Betting Markets
The Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) has clarified that sports betting licences only permit wagers that are directly connected to actual sporting events. Following contact from the regulator, operators quickly removed non-compliant betting markets, including those based on awards.
The Kansspelautoriteit has notified licensed sports betting operators that their permits are restricted to bets directly linked to sporting contests. This reminder comes after supervision revealed that some operators were offering markets that fall outside the legal definition of sports betting in the Netherlands.
The issue centred on bets related to award outcomes, such as Most Valuable Player prizes. Operators promptly withdrew these markets after being approached by the authority.
According to the regulator, remote sports betting licences allow operators to offer bets solely on events occurring during a sports match or on the final result of that match. The sporting event must be part of organised sport recognised by NOC*NSF or equivalent international sports organisations.
This excludes any markets not directly decided by the actual progression or outcome of the sporting event itself. The authority specifically highlighted award-style bets, which are determined by juries or panels rather than on-field performance. Bets on political elections or player transfers were also confirmed as falling outside the permitted scope.
The Kansspelautoriteit emphasised that licensed operators remain entirely accountable for their betting offerings, even when using external platforms or third-party sportsbook providers. Operators must therefore continuously monitor their markets and maintain robust controls to prevent prohibited bets from appearing.
The regulator expects immediate remedial action if unauthorised markets are identified. It has stated that it will continue close oversight of licensed operators’ betting products.
Read also: Superbet Strengthens European Presence with Greece Market Entry
This Dutch intervention highlights a growing regulatory focus across Europe. Authorities are increasingly scrutinising not only major compliance areas like player protection and anti-money laundering, but also the exact limits of each licensed gambling vertical.
For sportsbook operators working across multiple countries, the takeaway is clear: generic market templates and supplier feeds cannot be assumed compliant in every regulated jurisdiction.
In the Netherlands, the move makes it evident that even betting products loosely connected to sports may not qualify under a sports betting licence unless they are firmly based on a recognised sporting contest. Operators must therefore extend their compliance procedures to cover all derivative, novelty, and supplementary markets within their sportsbook platforms.
