KSA Warns Google and Meta of Potential Legal Action Over Illegal Gambling
Netherlands.- 16 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) has warned that it may pursue legal action against major technology companies, including Google and Meta, over their alleged role in facilitating the promotion of illegal gambling operators.
Michel Groothuizen, Chairman of the KSA, explained that the regulator aims to strengthen cooperation with digital platforms to reduce the visibility of unlicensed gambling websites. However, he indicated that judicial action remains an option if voluntary measures prove insufficient.
His comments come amid growing concern about illegal gambling across Europe and new initiatives designed to identify licensed operators.
KSA Keeps Legal Action on the Table
Groothuizen believes major technology platforms play an important role in the promotion of unauthorised gambling services.
According to the regulator’s Chairman, the KSA possesses information that could help demonstrate how certain digital businesses facilitate prohibited activities in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe.
The authority wants these companies to introduce more effective restrictions on illegal gambling advertisements, particularly when they originate from businesses without the necessary licences.
Nevertheless, the KSA currently favours cooperation agreements over initiating lengthy legal proceedings.
It believes coordinated action could deliver results more quickly than extended litigation.
Google and Meta Face Regulatory Scrutiny
Both technology companies are central to the discussion.
Google operates search and digital advertising services widely used to promote websites and acquire customers.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, manages social platforms where advertising for online casinos and betting services also appears.
According to Groothuizen, problems arise when these services increase the visibility of companies offering gambling products without authorisation.
The KSA believes stronger identification and verification mechanisms are required to prevent illegal operators from reaching consumers.
The Challenge of Digital Advertising
One of the regulator’s principal arguments concerns the business models of major technology platforms.
These companies generate substantial revenue through digital advertising.
From this perspective, restricting certain promotional activities may conflict with their commercial interests.
Groothuizen acknowledged that asking technology companies to impose voluntary limits could require changes to established business practices.
However, he maintained that consumer protection and compliance with gambling legislation must take priority over revenue generated by illegal advertising.
The KSA wants technology platforms to take a more active role in preventing unauthorised gambling promotion.
Legal Action Against Technology Giants Presents Risks
The KSA Chairman acknowledged that bringing legal proceedings against Google or Meta would present significant challenges.
Both businesses have substantial financial resources and specialist legal teams.
Complex litigation could continue for several years, creating costs and uncertainty for the regulator.
Groothuizen admitted that the authority must carefully assess its prospects before initiating a major legal dispute.
An unsuccessful case could weaken the effectiveness of future regulatory intervention.
For this reason, the KSA aims to gather convincing evidence and identify the legal mechanisms most suitable for enforcement.
European Legislation Provides Potential Tools
One possible legal instrument is the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
The legislation establishes obligations for certain digital platforms concerning illegal content and intermediary responsibilities.
Dutch national law also provides mechanisms that may apply to the promotion of unauthorised gambling services.
However, the division of regulatory powers is important: certain DSA enforcement measures, particularly those involving very large online platforms, fall within the competence of European authorities.
Any future proceedings would therefore need to consider the applicable legal framework and the powers of the institutions involved.
Google and Regulators Develop a Gambling White List
The warning about potential litigation comes as the KSA participates in a cooperative project with Google and other European gambling regulators.
The initiative involves developing an EU-wide white list of licensed gambling operators.
The proposed system would identify businesses holding valid gambling licences and help prevent unauthorised platforms from accessing certain digital services.
It follows meetings held in Dublin during 2026 between European regulators and major technology companies.
However, no launch date has been announced, and the specific Google services covered by the project remain unconfirmed.
The system will also need to account for differences between national licensing regimes, as authorisation in one European country does not automatically permit operations elsewhere in the EU.
Meta Already Faces Litigation in the Netherlands
Pressure on digital platforms is also coming from gambling industry organisations.
In September 2026, VNLOK, the Dutch association representing licensed online gambling operators, initiated legal proceedings against Meta.
The action concerns allegations that the company has failed to take sufficient measures against advertisements for illegal gambling websites on Facebook and Instagram.
The case represents an important development in the debate over digital platforms’ responsibilities.
However, the allegations remain subject to judicial consideration and do not constitute a final finding of liability.
Illegal Gambling Remains a Major Concern
October 2026 marks five years since the Netherlands opened its regulated online gambling market.
According to figures cited by Groothuizen, approximately 90% of Dutch online gamblers use licensed operators exclusively.
However, financial channelisation presents a different picture.
The regulator estimates that only around 53% of money circulating through the online gambling market remains within the licensed sector.
This discrepancy raises concerns because it suggests that a substantial proportion of gambling expenditure or losses is associated with unauthorised platforms.
The KSA considers improving channelisation towards regulated operators an important consumer protection priority.
Reduced Visibility and Payment Restrictions
The Dutch regulator is also adapting its enforcement strategy.
Groothuizen acknowledged that imposing fines on illegal operators does not always achieve the intended results, particularly when companies operate from overseas and penalties are difficult to collect.
The KSA is therefore increasingly focusing on the infrastructure supporting illegal gambling businesses.
Key priorities include:
- Reducing the online visibility of unlicensed operators.
- Disrupting payment channels.
- Improving the identification of illegal platforms.
- Strengthening cooperation with technology businesses.
- Coordinating enforcement with other European regulators.
The aim is to make it more difficult for unauthorised operators to attract customers and maintain their commercial activities.
Protecting Minors and Vulnerable Consumers
Another major regulatory concern involves exposing vulnerable consumers to gambling advertising.
Groothuizen highlighted advertisements that may reach children or individuals registered with gambling self-exclusion programmes.
These situations raise questions about the effectiveness of digital platforms’ advertising controls.
The KSA believes improved systems are needed to identify problematic advertisements and prevent their distribution.
The regulator argues that consumer protection responsibilities should also involve intermediaries facilitating the promotion of gambling products.
Next Steps and Impact
Michel Groothuizen’s comments demonstrate a regulatory strategy combining technology cooperation, supervision and the possibility of judicial enforcement.
At present, the KSA has not announced a new lawsuit of its own against Google or Meta in connection with these statements.
The authority will continue working with technology companies and other European regulators to improve the identification of licensed operators and reduce illegal gambling activity.
However, legal proceedings remain an option if voluntary agreements fail to produce sufficient results.
For the iGaming industry, these developments could reshape the responsibilities of digital intermediaries and strengthen gambling licence verification mechanisms.
The progress of these initiatives will be important in determining how regulators and major technology platforms cooperate to combat illegal gambling advertising.
Editó: @fonta
