Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has instructed Adventure One QSS Inc., the company behind Polymarket, to stop making its service available in the Netherlands, arguing the platform amounts to unlicensed, illegal gambling under Dutch rules.
The watchdog warned that if Dutch residents can still access the site, Polymarket could be hit with a penalty of €420,000 per week, up to a maximum of €840,000, under a decision issued on February 17, 2026.
Why the KSA considers prediction markets illegal gambling
Polymarket has argued that prediction markets should not be classified as games of chance, but the KSA says it takes a different view and sees the offering as illegal gambling on the Dutch market. The regulator noted that after contact with the company, no visible changes followed and the offer remained available.
In its statement, the KSA also highlighted broader societal risks tied to these products, pointing specifically to concerns such as the potential influence of election-related betting markets, and said that entities without a KSA licence have “no place” in the Dutch market.
More penalties could follow, including revenue-based fines
Beyond the weekly penalty payments, the KSA said it may later impose an additional fine linked to the company’s turnover (a revenue-related penalty), signaling that financial exposure could extend beyond the €840,000 cap.
The regulator also pointed readers to the sanction decision for the “current status”, suggesting the case may evolve depending on whether Polymarket restricts Dutch access and how the enforcement process proceeds.
Source: https://kansspelautoriteit.nl/last-onder-dwangsom-voor-illegaal-kansspelaanbod-polymarket
