The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has announced plans to intensify its focus on tackling illegal gambling and strengthening player protection as part of its supervisory agenda for 2026.
According to the regulator, additional resources will be allocated to counter illegal gambling activities, with a particular emphasis on disrupting and disabling the infrastructure used by unlawful operators.
These efforts may include closer cooperation with payment service providers, hosting companies, and social media platforms. At the same time, greater priority will be given to protecting vulnerable groups and enhancing oversight of advertising practices and operators’ duty of care, in line with the Ministry’s updated policy vision that places stronger emphasis on player protection.
To support this shift, a dedicated Player Protection department has been created within the KSA’s new organisational structure, effective from the beginning of the year. The regulator has also introduced a revised governance model, consisting of a full-time chair and two part-time board members. Its operational structure has been streamlined into three directorates:
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Player Protection & Management Advice, to be led by Roos Lawant from 1 February 2026
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Permits & Supervision, under the leadership of Ella Seijsener since 1 January
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Digitalisation, Analysis & Business Operations, to be headed by Daniël Palomo van Es from 1 February
The KSA stated that these changes reflect its updated strategy, which prioritises player protection, digitalisation, and data-driven supervision, with the aim of transforming the authority into a more agile and future-ready regulator capable of overseeing a rapidly evolving gambling market.
For the year ahead, the regulator has identified five key supervisory priorities: combating illegal gambling offers; protecting vulnerable groups, particularly minors and young adults; overseeing compliance with duty-of-care obligations; monitoring gambling advertising; and enforcing adherence to anti-money laundering legislation (Wwft).
In the area of advertising supervision, the KSA plans to take action against operators that use role models or influencers in promotional campaigns, as well as those that continue to deploy untargeted advertising. Updated guidance on advertising rules is expected to be published early in the year.
Regarding land-based gambling, the regulator will focus on monitoring how slot machines find their way into illegal venues and will continue its collaboration with other government bodies to address this issue.
