The Dutch gambling regulator has stepped up measures against illegal gambling, ordering the Polymarket platform to cease operations in the country.
Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) issued a warning to Adventure One QSS, the operator of the Polymarket brand in the Netherlands, stating that the company could face a weekly fine of €420,000 ($495,600) if it continues to operate, with a maximum penalty of €840,000 ($991,200).
A strict approach to illegal gambling sites is one of the key objectives outlined in the government’s recently published coalition agreement, “Getting Started, Building a Better Netherlands”. KSA is now extending its oversight to include prediction markets.
The regulator emphasized that Polymarket has recently attracted media attention, particularly regarding wagers on the Dutch elections, while the platform itself denies that its operations qualify as gambling.
Despite notifications about illegal activity in the Netherlands, Polymarket has not altered its offerings. As a result, an order with the threat of fines has been issued, which, if necessary, could be expanded to include penalties based on company turnover.
Ella Seijsener, Director of Licensing and Supervision at KSA, commented:
“Prediction markets are on the rise, including in the Netherlands. These types of companies offer bets that are not permitted in our market under any circumstances, not even by license holders.
“Besides the social risks of these kinds of predictions (for example, the potential influence on elections), we conclude that this constitutes illegal gambling. Anyone without a KSA license has no business in our market. This also applies to these new gambling platforms.”
Tightening Measures Against the Illegal Gambling Market in the Netherlands
The Dutch gambling market is facing stricter regulation: the government plans to ban online gambling advertising, strengthen operators’ duty of care, and consider limiting the number of online operator licenses.
The Dutch gambling trade body Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders (VNLOK) stated that it supports the government’s efforts to protect players and combat the black market, but urges a reconsideration of the approach.
“Dutch gambling policy is deliberately designed around an open, regulated market with strict requirements for duty of care, advertising and oversight,” said Björn Fuchs, Chair of VNLOK.
“This system only works if the legal, safe offering remains visible to the player. A total ban on advertising undermines precisely that principle.”
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