Key Points
- Parliamentary members expressed worries about operators circumventing regulations through acquisitions and intricate ownership arrangements
- The 888 Holdings situation highlighted concerns, with operations running via Godwits LTD (ComeOn Group) licence while under evoke plc ownership
- State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen defended current regulatory framework and Kansspelautoriteit capabilities
- Current system includes comprehensive reliability assessments and an extensive cooling-off requirement approaching three years
- Officials have no intention of implementing additional entry restrictions despite continued parliamentary scrutiny
The Netherlands has chosen not to implement additional regulations designed to prevent gambling operators from accessing the regulated market through alternative pathways. This decision stands despite mounting parliamentary concerns that certain operators may be exploiting gaps in present legislation.
Lawmakers have raised questions about whether businesses previously involved in unlicensed operations can legitimately access the Dutch market. Concerns centre on corporate acquisitions and multi-layered ownership structures as potential regulatory workarounds.
The matter gained parliamentary momentum when several representatives, including Mirjam Bikker, Jimmy Dobbe, Tijs van den Brink and Diederik van Dijk, highlighted the issue. Their inquiries focused on whether existing protections adequately prevent indirect market access.
The 888 Holdings arrangement became a focal point in these discussions. Operating in the Netherlands from mid-2025 onwards, the brand functions under licensing held by Godwits LTD, a ComeOn Group entity.
Meanwhile, evoke plc maintains ownership of the 888 brand. Such configurations have prompted lawmakers to question where ultimate legal accountability resides for platform operations.
These complex ownership arrangements complicate efforts to identify the true controlling parties behind licences. When multiple corporate entities operate across various jurisdictions, distinguishing between legitimate compliance and regulatory avoidance becomes challenging.
Officials Maintain Confidence in Existing Rules
State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen dismissed proposals for new legislation. According to her position, the present framework already provides the Kansspelautoriteit with sufficient authority to evaluate applications and take enforcement action when circumstances warrant.
Central to Dutch regulatory procedures is a comprehensive reliability assessment. Companies seeking licensing, together with their leadership and beneficial owners, undergo thorough examination before receiving approval.
Previous participation in unauthorized gambling operations can negatively impact applications. This consideration extends to activities conducted beyond Dutch borders.
The Remote Gambling Act incorporates a mandatory cooling-off requirement. Operators must prove they have not solicited Dutch consumers without proper authorization for close to three years before submitting applications.
Several applications have faced rejection for not satisfying this criterion. Government officials interpret these outcomes as confirmation the regulatory system functions effectively.
Regulatory Authority Capabilities Questioned
The Kansspelautoriteit possesses authority to levy financial penalties, impose licence conditions, or withdraw authorizations completely. These enforcement mechanisms underpin governmental arguments against introducing additional regulations.
Yet questions persist regarding whether these powers adequately address increasingly sophisticated corporate arrangements. When ownership disperses across numerous entities and jurisdictions, determining accountability becomes substantially more complex.
Currently, officials appear satisfied delegating these assessments to regulatory authorities. Government representatives consistently characterize the existing framework as sufficiently robust to address present challenges.
No plans exist for implementing supplementary safeguards. The official government stance as of May 2026 holds that current measures, encompassing reliability assessments and cooling-off requirements, deliver adequate protection against operators seeking to bypass Dutch gambling regulations.
