Dutch Online Gambling Accounts Jump by 100,000 in First Half of 2026
The number of active online gambling accounts in the Netherlands increased by approximately 100,000 in the first half of 2026, according to new figures published by the Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA). The average number of active accounts per month rose to 1.48 million, up from 1.38 million in the second half of 2025. The increase was accompanied by renewed growth in online gross gaming revenue, even as the regulator continues to flag concerns over illegal market activity and player protection.
Account Growth and Revenue Figures
The data, drawn from the KSA’s latest market monitoring report, indicates that participation in the regulated online gambling sector expanded measurably during the first six months of 2026. Online gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the reporting period reached €670 million, an increase of 11 percent compared with the same period one year earlier.
The figures contrast with the relative stagnation recorded in the second half of 2025, when online GGR held steady at approximately €602 million between July and December. The rebound in both player numbers and revenue suggests renewed momentum in the legal online segment following a period in which the market contracted under the combined pressure of higher gambling taxes and increased illegal competition.
Regulatory and Fiscal Context
The growth in regulated participation occurs against a challenging backdrop for licensed operators. The Dutch gambling tax rate was raised in two phases, from 30.5 percent to 34.2 percent on 1 January 2025, and subsequently to 37.8 percent. The increase was intended to generate additional tax revenue but fell substantially short of government projections, and industry representatives have argued that higher levies weaken the competitiveness of the legal offer relative to unlicensed operators.
The KSA has separately reported rising activity on illegal gambling websites, with players spending more through unlicensed channels since late 2024. Previous monitoring data showed estimated illegal market revenue exceeding that of the regulated online segment in certain reporting periods, a development the regulator has described as a threat to channelization, the policy objective of directing gambling demand toward licensed providers.
Player Protection Considerations
The rise in active accounts also carries implications for responsible gambling policy. Recent KSA research found that 18-year-olds accounted for 41 percent of new accounts opened by young adults, with this cohort tending to begin with online casino games rather than sports betting. The regulator has additionally introduced new guidance effective from 2026, requiring licensed operators to simplify account closure procedures and remove friction from exit processes.
Participation in CRUKS, the national self-exclusion register, has surpassed 100,000 registrations. Operators licensed under the Remote Gambling Act (Wet Koa) are required to verify the register at every login, and further tightening of exclusion and identification requirements took effect in January 2026.
