Is Sports Betting Legal in the Netherlands?
Online sports betting became legal and regulated by the Dutch government under the Remote Gambling Act. Initially completed in 2019, it took effect on October 1, 2021. This enabled online gambling to take place in Holland with players able to indulge in casino games and participate legally in sports betting too.
Generally speaking, bettors can find almost the same markets at Dutch betting sites as in other parts of the world. Yet, there are some differences. For example, no spread betting is allowed for Dutch operators and neither they are entitled to accept wagers on non-sporting events like politics or showbiz. Moreover, even lottery games or long-odds bingo games cannot be offered by betting websites.
KSA Licensed Betting Sites in the Netherlands
The Kansspelautoriteit, or the Dutch Gaming Authority is responsible for the regulation of gambling activities in Netherlands both online and offline. The organization issues licenses to operators offering games of chance while unlicensed individuals are subject to enforcement actions from the authority.
There are numerous benefits of gambling with licensed Dutch sites.
If you want to make sure that you are playing at a licensed Dutch site, you can be confident that all our recommended bookies are properly regulated. If you would like to see for yourself, Kansspelwijzer has the complete list of all licensed operators in its network. For further verification about current licenses holders, visit or call Kansspelwijzer where they have full details of every company’s website, app and license number.
The History of Betting in the Netherlands
Gambling has been woven into Dutch culture for centuries. There are evidences of organized betting from as far back as the 18th Century. The Nederlandse Staatsloterij, which is the oldest state lottery that is still running worldwide, was first established in 1726.
In the early 1900s, all gambling including sport betting was completely prohibited save for the national lottery. However, in 1961, sports betting became legal again in the Netherlands and for the second time, as a state monopoly.
The stance of the government on gambling, however, was gradually relaxed for instance it introduced new legislation such as Totalizer system which allowed betting on horse racing. In addition to that, lottery and casino games were made legal but only under a monopoly and by mid-1970s; the first casino had been opened in Netherlands.
The Dutch government believed that one company should be assigned responsibility for each of the different parts of the betting sector to enable them regulate gambling and oversee the practices of chosen firms.
There was a movement to legalise online gambling in the Netherlands from 2015, with the aim of diverting players from other European betting sites to a licensed national market. Although the progress had been slow at first, lawmakers agreed on the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) in February 2019.
Nevertheless, the Dutch Government took time to finally open the market that was regulated. At first, law makers had set hopes that KOA would become a legislation by July 2020 and market would be launched in January 2021. Nevertheless, because of delays including COVID-19 pandemic among others, it was until March 2021 when this law came into effect. To allow online betting sites to commence operation on October 1st 2021 however, meant something totally different for Dutch gamblers.
Join One of the Best Dutch Betting Sites
You can now be assured of your understanding of all aspects relating to online gambling in the Netherlands. If you wish to start placing bets on sports, go ahead and sign up with one of our recommended legal Dutch bookmakers listed here.
Can you bet online in the Netherlands? Definitely, yes, the Netherlands allows online betting. Remote Gambling Act has made it possible for operators to have secure, legal and regulated Dutch betting sites that are available to all residents. You can bet on numerous sports such as soccer, volleyball and field hockey among others.
Which site has the best betting odds in the Netherlands? But there are different best sports betting sites in Netherlands and no one bookmaker that will appeal to everybody. Maybe you prefer a bookie due to the competitive football odds it offers, but another person could choose one with more betting markets for speed skating. You can find our top Dutch gambling website choices on this page.
Are Dutch bettors taxed on winnings? There is no need for Dutch gamblers to pay tax on earnings from legalized gambling sites in Netherlands. The Remote Gambling Act established taxation rates for operators but did not introduce one on winnings. Nevertheless, bear in mind that you may have a liability to pay tax on winning from unregulated international platforms especially those outside the European Union.
Q.Can I get bonuses on Dutch betting sites? A. Our suggested sports gambling sites in the Netherlands reward their customers with competitive bonuses and promotions. These will differ from one site to another in terms of types of bonuses they offer. However, be cautioned that young people under the age of 24 are barred by existing Dutch laws from benefitting directly from these offers.
Q.Is in-play betting allowed in the Netherlands? A. Yes, Dutch law permits in-play betting. This allows you the opportunity to place bets on an event that has already started and the odds change continually based on events taking place within the game. Each of these top Netherlands betting platforms has a myriad of live and in-play wagering options on world competitions.