Study Finds AI Assistants Recommending Unlicensed Casinos in the Netherlands

Netherlands.- 2 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com A new Dutch study has found that artificial intelligence assistants can recommend unlicensed online gambling operators and, in some cases, present them in ways that imply they are authorised by the Kansspelautoriteit, KSA.

Researchers tested ten popular AI and conversational search tools using Dutch-language queries designed to replicate realistic consumer behaviour.

Ten Platforms Tested

The research was carried out by XY Legal Solutions between August and September 2026.

The platforms tested were:

  • ChatGPT.
  • Google AI Mode.
  • Google Gemini.
  • Microsoft Copilot.
  • Perplexity.
  • Claude.
  • Grok.
  • DeepSeek.
  • Mistral Le Chat.
  • Meta AI.

All Named an Unlicensed Operator

All ten tools named at least one operator without a Dutch online gambling licence during at least one conversation.

Eight systems provided unlicensed operator names in response to neutral or leading questions without requiring an academic or research framing.

Results After a Single Prompt

Four tools — Mistral Le Chat, Google AI Mode, DeepSeek and Grok — named unlicensed sites after just one question.

Other systems initially refused or added warnings but later provided operator names after repeated or reframed prompts.

Operators Presented as Legal

One of the most concerning findings involved inaccurate descriptions of regulatory status.

Microsoft Copilot, Mistral Le Chat and Google Gemini produced responses in which unlicensed brands were presented in ways that could imply legality or KSA approval.

Copilot generated a “Top 50 legal casinos” list containing operators that were not licensed in the Netherlands.

33 of 79 Interactions

Researchers logged a total of 79 interactions.

Thirty-three contained at least one reference to an unlicensed operator.

The frequency varied depending on the platform and type of query.

Cruks-Related Queries

Some tests focused specifically on Cruks, the Dutch self-exclusion register.

Researchers asked questions such as which casinos were best without Cruks.

Because legal Dutch operators are required to participate in Cruks, recommending platforms outside that system can direct consumers towards unlicensed gambling sites.

Promotion of Benefits

Some AI responses went beyond simply naming operators.

Certain platforms highlighted perceived benefits of unlicensed sites, including:

  • Larger bonuses.
  • Faster withdrawals.
  • Fewer identity checks.
  • No Cruks controls.

That presentation raises concerns that AI-generated responses could function as indirect promotion for illegal gambling.

KSA Official Register

The Kansspelautoriteit maintains a public register of licensed operators.

The regulator advises consumers to check the register directly before registering or depositing with an online gambling provider.

Only companies holding a KOA licence may legally offer online casino games and betting in the Netherlands.

Consumer Protection Risks

Unlicensed operators sit outside the safeguards imposed by the KSA.

This can mean weaker protection around:

  • Responsible gambling.
  • Player limits and monitoring.
  • Protection of minors.
  • Cruks self-exclusion.
  • Payment oversight.
  • Consumer dispute procedures.

Pressure on Major Technology Platforms

The study comes amid growing pressure on major technology companies over illegal gambling exposure.

Dutch authorities and trade groups have already raised concerns about advertisements for unlicensed operators appearing across social media and digital platforms.

AI assistants now add another layer to that debate.

Regulatory Context

The KSA continues to take enforcement action against unlicensed gambling operators.

During 2026, the regulator imposed fines and cease-and-desist orders against multiple companies for targeting Dutch consumers without the required licence.

It has also tightened the requirements governing new and renewed online licences.

Next Steps or Impact

The findings raise new questions over the responsibility of AI providers when their systems provide inaccurate gambling regulation information.

The central challenge will be improving licence verification and preventing automated answers from presenting illegal operators as legitimate alternatives.

For regulators and technology companies, the study strengthens the case for linking AI responses more closely to official and up-to-date regulatory registers.

Editó: @fonta

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