Stock image, for illustration only. Not related to the actual events.
The Netherlands is approaching a regulatory milestone as the first batch of online gambling licenses issued when the market opened in 2021 reach their five-year expiration, with several operators already securing extensions and others racing to meet an October deadline.
Holland Casino, Bingoal, and state-owned Nederlandse Loterij’s TOTO Online have all announced five-year license extensions beginning October 1, 2026, following review by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the country’s gambling regulator.
The renewals mark the first major license cycle since the Netherlands re-regulated its online gambling market five years ago. When the market opened in October 2021, operators received initial five-year terms that are now reaching expiration on a rolling basis depending on when each company entered.
Among the three confirmed renewals, TOTO currently leads the Dutch market in share, according to data from industry tracker Blask. Holland Casino ranks seventh, while Bingoal sits 25th.
Major operators face varied timelines
Several top-tier brands by market share are approaching their renewal windows. BetCity, the third-largest operator and owned by Entain since 2023, faces an October 1 expiration. The brand has repeatedly clashed with the KSA over marketing violations, most recently in March when it admitted breaching rules on advertising to young adults, and again during the World Cup for using role models in promotions.
Unibet, the second-largest operator in the Netherlands, entered the market a year after re-regulation and has until June 8, 2027 to renew. Parent company FDJ United reported a 19.9% revenue decline in the region during the first quarter, though the company framed this as improvement from the 42.1% drop recorded for full-year 2025.
Bet365, ranked fourth by market share, received approval on October 1, 2021, placing it in the immediate renewal cohort. As a private company, bet365 does not publish detailed country-level financial data.
Other operators facing near-term deadlines include Kansino, one of the earliest entrants now ranked ninth, with an October expiration. Fair Play, the online brand of the Janshen-Hahnraths Group and tenth in market share, also faces an October 1 deadline.
JVH portfolio and niche players
JVH Gaming and Entertainment operates two brands in the top ten: 711 (sixth) and Jacks.nl (eighth), run through separate legal entities. The licenses expire on different schedules, with 711 valid until March 16, 2027 and Jacks.nl expiring November 20, 2026.
OneCasino, a privately held operator ranking fifth, has longer to prepare with an October 5, 2027 expiration.
One notable case involves ComeOn, currently 17th in market share with a license valid until September 6, 2027. In 2025, ComeOn entered an agreement to operate evoke’s 888 brand under its Dutch license, effectively allowing 888 to operate in the market through ComeOn’s regulatory approval.
All active licenses and their status are published on the KSA’s website. Operators that entered the market during the initial opening in October 2021 must apply for renewal by this October to continue operating legally in the Netherlands.
Key questions answered
When did the Netherlands originally open its re-regulated online gambling market?
The market opened in October 2021, when operators received initial five-year license terms that are now reaching expiration.
Which operators have already secured license renewals?
Holland Casino, Bingoal, and state-owned Nederlandse Loterij’s TOTO Online have all announced five-year license extensions beginning October 1, 2026.
Has BetCity had any compliance issues with the regulator?
Yes, BetCity has repeatedly clashed with the KSA over marketing violations, including admitting breaches in March for advertising to young adults and violations during the World Cup for using role models in promotions.
How is 888 able to operate in the Dutch market?
In 2025, ComeOn entered an agreement to operate evoke’s 888 brand under its Dutch license, allowing 888 to operate through ComeOn’s regulatory approval.