Risks of Illegal Gambling

Illegal gambling means you gamble with a gambling company that doesn’t have a Dutch license. Illegal gambling involves many risks. If you want to gamble, do so with a licensed gambling company. Licensed gambling companies must meet strict requirements. Not sure whether a gambling company has a license? You can easily check this in the Kansspelwijzer. What are the risks of illegal gambling?

1. No player protection

There is no control. Illegal gambling sites or gambling locations are not controlled by the government.
Sometimes there is no payout. Have you won? There is a good chance you will not receive your winnings.
No help. If you encounter problems such as addiction or fraud, there is no one to offer you help.

2. No data protection

Your personal data is not safe and may be stolen or sold.

3. High risk of fraud

The gambling games may be fake, meaning you will lose (almost) every time.
Sometimes illegal gambling is used for criminal activities, such as money laundering.

4. Risk of gambling addiction

Illegal gambling companies make no effort to protect you from gambling addiction; they don’t use breaks or limits, for example. You can continue gambling without any control.
Illegal gambling companies do not often follow the rules, which means young people can end up there.

5. Participation is punishable by law

In the Netherlands, illegal gambling is punishable by law. Also, you may become involved in criminal activities without realising it.

Characteristics of illegal gambling companies

Illegal online gambling companies

No Dutch texts or customer service.
No identity or age verification when creating an account.
No credible bonuses (such as “free €1,000 without bet requirements”).
No playing limits, such as a deposit limit
No Cruks mention or license.
Only crypto payments or vague payment methods.

Illegal physical gambling companies

No identity verification.
No Cruks check upon entry.
No information about the risks of gambling available.
No information about the risks of gambling available.
Machines without information about payouts or with extremely high stakes.

How to recognize a legal gambling company in the Netherlands

1. License from the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa)

Legal gambling companies display the official logo of the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) on their website.
All licensed gambling companies can be found in the Kansspelwijzer of the Kansspelautoriteit.

2. Age and identity verification

You must verify your identity and age when creating an account.
Legal gambling sites use, for example, iDIN (bank verification) to check whether you are 18 years or older.
Physical legal gambling companies always ask for valid identification (passport, ID card or driving licence) when you arrive.

3. Checks on gambling behaviour

Legal gambling sites are required to:

Allow players to set a deposit limit, a limit for playing time and a maximum amount they want to have in their gaming account.
Enable gambling stop or breaks via Cruks.
Provide information about the risks of gambling, help with gambling addiction and refer to support organisations (such as OpenOverGokken).
Deploy staff to recognise addictive behaviour.

4. Connected to Cruks

Cruks = Central Register for Exclusion from Games of Chance.
If you have registered with Cruks, you are no longer allowed to gamble at legal gambling companies in the Netherlands.
Legal providers must check your identification to verify that you have not been excluded via Cruks.

5. Clear rules

Legal gambling companies have:
– Easily accessible Dutch customer service.
– Terms and conditions in Dutch.
– Clear rules and information about game rules, odds and payout of winnings.

6. Website ends with .nl

In the Netherlands, legal gambling companies have a website that ends with .nl.
Please note: foreign gambling sites with .com, .net or .org often are illegal for Dutch players.

7. Machines with certification mark

Slot machines must be approved by the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa).
The machine has a certification sticker or mark with a number and/or text that refers to its approval.
The machine must display information about:
– Payout percentage (e.g., 85%–92%)
– Rules of the game
– Maximum stake and winnings

Have you lost money at an illegal gambling company?

If you have lost money at an illegal provider and want compensation, first contact the gambling company. If you can’t reach an agreement with the gambling company, contact the Juridisch Loket and report your problem to the Kansspelautoriteit.

Please note: gambling at illegal gambling companies is punishable by law.