Ksa's comprehensive investigation into underage gambling access found licensed operators maintain robust age verification, with violations limited to exceptional cases.
May 7, 2026 · 3 min read
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has concluded its investigation into how minors might access online gambling despite age restrictions, finding that underage participation at licensed operators occurs only in exceptional circumstances.
The Dutch gambling authority launched the investigation in 2025 following signals that minors could potentially create accounts with legal online gambling providers, despite Netherlands law prohibiting underage gambling entirely.
The KSA examined registration processes at online gambling operators, focusing specifically on identity verification and bank account validation procedures. The authority obtained transaction data from banks to conduct deeper analysis of potential compliance gaps.
The investigation revealed no serious violations across licensed operators. However, the KSA identified very limited cases where players could use others' bank accounts or link personal accounts to different players' profiles.
"This could occur almost exclusively in situations where people have exactly the same initials."
— Kansspelautoriteit (KSA)
When minors did circumvent age restrictions, this primarily happened through accounts belonging to adult family members and friends rather than system vulnerabilities.
Discussions with online gambling operators revealed they lacked immediate solutions for the identical initials issue. However, the KSA notes that technical solutions are now available and will host sessions with operators to discuss regulatory expectations.
The authority plans to share recommendations with licensed operators and incorporate new guidelines into its Wwft framework.
Identity Verification Standards
Licensed gambling operators in the Netherlands must implement multi-layered verification including document validation, biometric checks, and real-time database cross-referencing. The enhanced Wwft framework will likely require operators to implement additional fuzzy matching algorithms to prevent account creation by users with similar personal details.
While licensed operators maintain robust protections, KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen highlighted broader concerns about illegal gambling access.
"This is Dutch text and should be translated to English"
— Kansspelautoriteit (KSA)
The findings demonstrate that underage gambling concerns primarily stem from illegal operators rather than licensed providers. Illegal operators often maintain minimal age verification standards while actively targeting young audiences through platforms like TikTok.
The KSA emphasises strengthened enforcement against illegal offerings alongside enhanced educational initiatives to inform minors about gambling risks.
According to KSA.
Legal Disclaimer
This content reflects a general overview of regulatory frameworks based on publicly available information. It does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion. iGamingWriter.blog disclaims any liability arising from reliance on this material.
Written by
Olga SvichkarFounder & Content Director
Olga founded We–Right™ Factory in 2012 and has been building iGaming content systems ever since. She oversees editorial strategy, quality standards, and multilingual content operations across 29+ markets. On iGamingWriter.blog, Olga writes about content architecture, team workflows, and what it actually takes to produce compliant iGaming copy at scale.
Sponsored content, banner placements & newsletter features for iGaming brands.
The Kansspelautoriteit has ramped up collaboration with sports organizations to enforce gambling advertising restrictions more effectively.
Despite nearly half of Dutch adults gambling monthly, 56% feel a taboo around discussing gambling problems, creating barriers to seeking help when needed.
Dutch gambling authority KSA has warned sports betting licence holders after finding prohibited betting markets including MVP awards outside permitted scope.
Get regulation updates, content insights, and market news delivered to your inbox every week.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
