The Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, Ksa) is working with Google, Meta and other European regulators to make illegal online gambling harder to find and access. A key initiative is a proposed EU-wide whitelist of licensed gambling operators, which Google could use to identify and block unlicensed providers from advertising.
In a statement published on 14 October 2026, Ksa chairman Michel Groothuizen said the regulator was pursuing cooperation with major technology companies while continuing to prepare potential legal action if voluntary measures prove ineffective.
The strategy comes five years after the Netherlands legalised online gambling. Despite the regulated market’s development, the Ksa says illegal operators remain a major enforcement challenge.
Google and EU Regulators Develop a Whitelist of Licensed Operators
The Ksa said it met with Google and Meta in Dublin in spring 2026, alongside regulators from other European countries. The discussions focused on getting major online platforms to take greater responsibility for the visibility of illegal gambling services.
One outcome is a joint task force working with Google to compile a whitelist of legal gambling operators across the European Union. The aim is to help Google distinguish authorised providers from those that are not licensed and prevent unlicensed operators from advertising through its services.
The proposal is part of a broader effort to disrupt the infrastructure that allows illegal gambling businesses to reach customers. Rather than relying exclusively on fines imposed after violations occur, regulators want to make it harder for illegal operators to attract players and process payments.
The Ksa has not announced a launch date for the whitelist or published details of how licensing information will be verified and updated across different EU jurisdictions.
Illegal Gambling Ads Remain a Concern for Dutch Authorities
According to the Ksa, around 90% of Dutch online gamblers use only legal operators. However, the regulator says the financial picture is less favourable: for every euro wagered with a legal provider, another euro goes into the illegal market.
The authority also raised concerns about advertising that reaches vulnerable groups. Groothuizen said regulators had found advertisements for illegal gambling aimed at people registered in national self-exclusion systems, as well as advertisements accessible to minors.
The Ksa argues that these campaigns are widespread rather than isolated incidents. It believes major technology platforms play a significant role in making illegal gambling services visible to potential customers.
The regulator’s stated goal is therefore to target not only gambling operators themselves but also the companies and services that help them reach consumers.
Digital Services Act Could Provide a Route to Enforcement
The Ksa believes Dutch gambling legislation and the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) provide potential legal grounds for action against technology companies that facilitate illegal gambling.
However, the regulator distinguishes between national enforcement and action under EU law. According to Groothuizen, decisions under the DSA would be for the European Commission, with national regulators able to provide evidence and support a case.
The Ksa has not announced a fine against Google or Meta in connection with this initiative. Instead, it is seeking voluntary changes while preparing for the possibility of formal proceedings.
Ksa Keeps Legal Action on the Table
The regulator acknowledges that taking on major technology companies in court could be costly and lengthy. Groothuizen warned that companies with substantial financial resources could challenge enforcement decisions through multiple stages of litigation, potentially delaying a final judgment for years.
For that reason, the Ksa is trying to secure practical improvements through cooperation before initiating a legal confrontation. The regulator says the two approaches are not mutually exclusive: negotiations can continue while evidence is gathered and legal options are prepared.
The authority also cautioned that technology companies should not be regarded as permanent allies. If voluntary measures fail to produce meaningful results, the Ksa says it remains prepared to pursue legal action.
What the Initiative Means for Gambling Operators
If implemented effectively, the proposed whitelist could make it more difficult for unlicensed gambling operators to advertise through Google. For licensed businesses, the initiative could help platforms identify authorised providers more consistently across participating European markets.
However, important details remain unresolved, including the whitelist’s implementation timetable, the process for confirming licences in individual countries and the measures Google would apply to operators not included on the list.
For now, the initiative represents a move towards closer coordination between national gambling regulators and major technology platforms. Its practical impact will depend on how the whitelist is implemented and whether voluntary cooperation significantly reduces the visibility of illegal gambling services.
Source: https://kansspelautoriteit.nl/verleiden-vechten-allebei
