Dutch Online Gambling Market Continues To Grow But At A Slower Pace

Summary:

• The Dutch online gambling market has now matured after its launch in October 2021
• Market growth has leveled off according to the Dutch gaming regulator
• The sector is developing as expected and operators should remain fully compliant with their duties

As the Dutch online gambling market enters its third year, growth has reached a steady rate, according to the country’s gambling regulator, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).

In its latest monitoring report on online gambling, the agency noted that gross gaming result (BSR) has continued to increase but at a slower pace.

This suggests that the market has already achieved maturity after two years of enjoying huge growth.

Market Growth Now Stagnating

The Netherlands officially opened its regulated online gambling market on October 1, 2021 under the KOA Act. The sector experienced strong growth over the last two years, with the number of licensees nearly tripling from 10 to 27. The latest operator to be granted a license was Hommerson Amusement BV, with LeoVegas also returning to the country after obtaining a permit back in June.

Market growth has now pretty much stabilized, according to the KSA’s fifth monitoring report. From January 2023 to August 2023, BSR rose by only 8%, down from the 33% recorded between August 2022 and January 2023.

In its previous monitoring report released in April, the KSA estimated that the market would continue to grow rapidly at an annual rate of 15%. The latest data contradicts that projection.

Overall, Dutch licensed operators generated €1.33 billion in total BSR from August 2022 to July 2023, and while this indicates further growth for the sector, the KSA has acknowledged that the rate at which the market is growing has now leveled off.

KSA to Continue Strict Monitoring of Regulatory Compliance

Commenting on the report, KSA Chairman René Jansen said the latest figures show that the Dutch online gambling market is “developing as expected” and as the market continues to grow though at a slower pace, licensees also have a greater responsibility to protect customers from gambling-related harm and ensure they’re playing in a safe market.

Jansen stated that the KSA remains committed to monitoring regulatory compliance, with duty of care and addiction prevention as its top priorities.

This year saw the introduction of new measures aimed at providing stronger protections for players and improving channelization rates. So far, the KSA has achieved its goal of driving 8 in 10 players to regulated sites, with 93% of Dutch bettors now playing on authorized platforms, up 1% from the previous six months. Additionally, the vast majority of new players (98%) are now using licensed sites.