Rising Concerns Over Unregulated Machines
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands’ national gambling regulator, has announced a renewed focus on tackling the proliferation of illegal gaming machines across the country. In an official statement, the authority underscored growing concerns that unlicensed slot machines and gaming terminals are increasingly appearing in public venues — bypassing regulatory oversight and exposing consumers to heightened risks.
These unregulated devices, often found in bars, cafés, snack bars, and private clubs, enable unauthorized gambling activities that fail to meet national standards for player protection, fairness, and responsible gaming. The KSA noted that such machines operate without necessary permits and do not incorporate mandatory safeguards, such as age verification or payout guarantees, which are standard in regulated environments.
Stepped-Up Enforcement and Inspections
In response, the KSA has launched a comprehensive enforcement campaign, including increased inspections, targeted raids, and collaboration with local municipalities and law enforcement. The regulator confirmed that several illegal machines had already been seized in recent months, with administrative fines and criminal proceedings initiated against venue owners and machine operators found in violation of Dutch gambling law.
René Jansen, Chairman of the KSA, emphasized the importance of curbing illicit gambling activity: “Illegal gaming machines undermine consumer protection and the integrity of our regulated gambling market. We are intensifying our actions to ensure the public is shielded from unsafe and unlicensed gambling opportunities.”
Broader Commitment to Market Integrity
The crackdown aligns with the KSA’s broader mission to uphold the integrity of the Dutch Remote Gambling Act, which came into force in October 2021, and to ensure that all gambling offerings — both land-based and online — comply with strict regulatory standards. The authority reaffirmed its intention to use data-driven monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness campaigns to tackle illegal gambling in all forms.
Industry observers view the initiative as part of a growing European trend where regulators are tightening oversight of both grey market operators and land-based infractions, in line with broader efforts to protect consumers and secure legal gambling ecosystems.
