Dutch Government Sets Out Plans for Near-Total Online Gambling Ad Ban

The Dutch government has set out plans for a near-total ban on online gambling advertising, centralized deposit limits, and expanded regulatory powers, State Secretary for Justice and Security Claudia van Bruggen announced June 13, 2026, in a letter to parliament.

If enacted, the measures would reshape how Dutch players encounter legal online casinos and how much they can deposit. A near-total ad ban would cut the primary channel through which licensed operators reach new players, while a centralized deposit limit system could directly cap spending. The rejection of an earlier proposal to raise the minimum gambling age from 18 to 21 avoids pushing young adults toward unlicensed offshore sites, a risk van Bruggen explicitly cited in her letter.

Source of the plan

Van Bruggen set out the agenda in a 16-page letter and a multi-year agenda released Friday through the Dutch parliament. The document builds on coalition plans from February 2026 and outlines a series of legislative and regulatory proposals. The government's stated goal is to reduce gambling-related harm by limiting exposure, tightening spending, and strengthening enforcement against illegal operators.

Near-total ad ban with narrow exceptions

The government plans to prohibit all online gambling ads except those that allow players to identify a licensed operator. The exceptions are designed to let players find legal sites through official channels, not to permit broad marketing campaigns. The plan does not set a specific timeline for legislative action on the ad ban. Van Bruggen's letter describes the ban as "near-total" and does not use the word "total" or "complete."

Deposit limits and affordability checks

Van Bruggen proposed introducing central deposit limits for online gambling. Higher deposits would trigger affordability checks, and lower automatic limits would apply to players aged 18-24. No specific deposit amount has been set. The plan notes that existing deposit rules, which KSA (Kansspelautoriteit) data from April 2026 shows have had some impact, would be replaced with a central system applying across all licensed operators.

Minimum age stays at 18

Van Bruggen rejected an earlier plan to raise the minimum age for high-risk games such as online slots from 18 to 21. In her letter, she stated that raising the age would increase the risk that young adults would gamble on unlicensed offshore sites where no player protections exist.

KSA gets wider enforcement tools

The package proposes giving the KSA additional powers to work with banks, payment providers, platforms, advertising partners, and foreign regulators to combat illegal gambling. The KSA would also gain tools to more effectively identify and block unlicensed operators. These powers are not automatic. each requires separate legislative action.

Fewer licenses and other measures

The government is exploring issuing fewer online gambling licenses, though no cap has been set. The multi-year agenda also covers prevention programs, stricter age verification, and media literacy initiatives. Details on affiliate marketing and bonus restrictions beyond the ad ban have not been specified.

What remains unclear

The exact timeline for implementing the ad ban and deposit limits has not been announced. The specific deposit limit amount has not been set. The current number of online gambling licenses and any proposed reduction have not been disclosed. Details of affiliate and bonus restrictions beyond the ad ban have not been released.

What happens next

The parliamentary letter signals the government's policy direction. The next step is formal legislative drafting and parliamentary debate. Van Bruggen's agenda is a multi-year plan, and full implementation could take several years. No immediate changes to the advertising landscape or spending caps are in effect.