Netherlands to Award Exclusive Horse Racing Betting Licence in 2027
Netherlands.- 30 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) has announced a new competitive procedure to award the exclusive licence for land-based horse racing betting under the totalisator system.
The application process will open on 4 January 2027, allowing eligible operators to compete for the sole authorisation to offer pari-mutuel horse racing betting at racecourses and physical betting outlets across the country.
The licence will run for five years, from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2032, replacing the authorisation currently held by ZEbetting & Gaming Nederland.
Only One Licence Available
Dutch gambling legislation establishes a statutory monopoly for land-based horse racing betting through the totalisator system.
Consequently, the KSA can award only one licence for the 2027-2032 period.
Unlike other parts of the regulated gambling market, where multiple licensed operators may compete, this activity is reserved for a single licence holder.
The regulator confirmed that the selection process will be open and transparent, allowing companies that meet the required conditions to submit applications.
ZEbetting & Gaming Holds the Current Licence
The existing authorisation is held by ZEbetting & Gaming Nederland B.V., which operates under the exclusive land-based horse racing betting framework.
Its licence expires on 30 June 2027.
The forthcoming procedure will determine which company will operate the activity during the following five years.
ZEbetting & Gaming may participate if it submits an application and satisfies the requirements.
However, holding the current licence does not automatically guarantee its renewal.
Applications Open in January 2027
The KSA has established a specific timetable for the procedure.
Key dates include:
- December 2026: publication of application forms and procedural documentation.
- 4 January 2027: application window opens.
- 31 January 2027: deadline for applications.
- 1 July 2027: new licence becomes effective.
- 30 June 2032: licence expires.
Interested operators must complete the relevant administrative procedures and submit their documentation within the designated application period.
Application Fee Set at €40,900
The licensing procedure includes a €40,900 application processing fee.
The amount must be paid in advance and is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome.
The fee covers the administrative assessment of the application and does not represent a purchase price for the licence.
Companies considering participation will therefore need to account for this cost before applying.
First Stage: Operator Assessment
The selection procedure consists of two stages.
During the first stage, the KSA will assess whether applicants satisfy the required legal and operational conditions.
The principal criteria include:
- Legal structure and place of establishment.
- Financial and operational continuity.
- Internal supervision and controls.
- Corporate reliability and integrity.
- Outsourcing procedures.
- Incident management.
- Prevention of problem gambling and gambling-related harm.
- Protection of minors.
- Match-fixing prevention policies.
- Demonstrable experience in land-based sports betting.
Only applicants meeting the requirements will be eligible to advance.
Second Stage: Draw Supervised by a Notary
A second stage will take place only if more than one applicant passes the initial assessment.
In that situation, the KSA will determine the successful operator through an unweighted draw conducted by a civil-law notary.
This means all qualifying applicants will have an equal chance of receiving the licence, without additional weighting based on company size or market position.
If only one applicant qualifies, a draw will not be necessary.
The procedure is designed to ensure equal treatment among operators that meet the eligibility requirements.
How Totalisator Betting Works
Totalisator betting, also known as pari-mutuel or pool betting, involves combining wagers into a common pool.
Unlike conventional fixed-odds betting, returns are not determined solely by odds established in advance by the bookmaker.
Instead, winnings are distributed among successful bets according to the pool’s rules and applicable deductions.
The Dutch licence authorises this form of wagering on horse races through approved land-based outlets.
It covers both horse racing and trotting events.
Online Betting Excluded From the Licence
The KSA has clarified that the forthcoming licence applies exclusively to land-based operations.
Authorised betting may be offered at:
- Racecourses.
- Physical betting shops.
Online horse racing betting is not covered by this authorisation.
Remote gambling falls under a separate licensing framework with its own requirements and procedures.
This distinction is important because the statutory monopoly does not automatically extend to digital betting services.
Licence Holder Must Contribute 10% to Horse Racing
One of the main financial obligations for the successful operator will be supporting the Dutch horse racing sector.
The licensing framework requires the holder to contribute 10% of monthly gross gaming revenue to the equestrian industry.
The contribution applies to bets placed during the relevant month on horse races and trotting events organised in the Netherlands.
This mechanism maintains a financial connection between commercial wagering activities and the sports on which those markets are based.
Industry Impact and Next Steps
The licensing process creates an opportunity for companies seeking to enter the Netherlands’ land-based horse racing betting market.
It will also determine whether ZEbetting & Gaming retains the authorisation or another operator takes over from July 2027.
The KSA expects to publish the application documents and model licence in December.
With a five-year exclusive licence, a €40,900 application fee and a competitive procedure opening on 4 January, the Netherlands is preparing the next stage of its regulated land-based horse racing betting market.
Edited by: @fonta
