Dutch Gambling Regulator Finds Minimal Risk of Underage Access to Legal Online Betting

The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has concluded its investigation into underage participation in legal online gambling, finding that access for minors is extremely rare and only occurs under exceptional circumstances.

Launched in 2025, the investigation examined how minors might bypass strict age verification systems imposed by licensed operators. The regulator analyzed registration processes, identity checks, and bank account verification procedures, supported by transaction data obtained from financial institutions.

The findings show that it is virtually impossible for minors to create and use accounts with legal online gambling providers. In the few isolated cases identified, underage users gained access through accounts belonging to adult family members or friends, or by exploiting technical overlaps such as identical initials that allowed bank account mismatches.

Importantly, the KSA reported no evidence of widespread abuse or systemic failures among licensed operators. However, it acknowledged that minor vulnerabilities existed, particularly in linking bank accounts to player profiles. The regulator noted that technical solutions to address these issues are now available and will be discussed with operators in upcoming industry sessions.

The KSA also plans to issue formal recommendations, which will be incorporated into updated anti-money laundering (Wwft) guidelines to further strengthen compliance across the sector.

Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the KSA, emphasized ongoing concerns around youth gambling exposure. While legal operators demonstrate strong safeguards, he warned that risks persist in the illegal market, where age verification standards are often weak or nonexistent.

According to Groothuizen, unlicensed platforms frequently target younger audiences through channels such as TikTok, increasing the likelihood of underage gambling. The regulator is therefore intensifying enforcement efforts against illegal operators, alongside expanding educational initiatives to raise awareness among minors about the risks associated with gambling.