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The Kansspelautoriteit has ordered bet365's operator to improve its affordability assessment procedures within four weeks or face stricter sanctions.
Feb 27, 2026 · 4 min read
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has issued a binding directive to Hillside New Media Malta Plc (Hillside) on 13 November 2025 for failing to adequately respond to signals that players could no longer bear the financial consequences of their gambling behavior. The operator, which runs bet365 in the Netherlands, also implemented insufficient intervention measures when detecting such warning signs.
Gambling operators in the Netherlands must actively protect players from excessive gambling and addiction through comprehensive duty of care obligations. A critical component involves monitoring player behavior to ensure gambling activity remains proportional to their financial circumstances.
The regulatory framework establishes specific thresholds for net deposits per calendar month. Players aged 18-23 years trigger affordability assessments at deposits exceeding €300, while those 24 years and older face scrutiny above €700. When these limits are reached, operators can conduct affordability tests to establish appropriate deposit boundaries. Failure to perform these checks requires operators to block further deposits for the remainder of the month.
Affordability Assessment Thresholds
Dutch gambling operators must conduct affordability assessments when players exceed specific monthly net deposit limits: €300 for players aged 18-23 years and €700 for those 24 years and older. If operators cannot verify affordability through proper testing, they must block further deposits for the remainder of the month.
KSA's investigation revealed significant deficiencies in Hillside's duty of care implementation. For March 2025, the operator relied on player questionnaires about income levels for affordability assessments. However, KSA had already warned all gambling operators in early 2025 that questionnaires were unsuitable for conducting proper affordability tests.
The regulator also identified incorrect calculations for net deposit limits, enabling players to deposit amounts potentially beyond their financial capacity. These procedural failures directly compromised player protection measures.
Hillside must now remedy its duty of care violations within four weeks of the directive's issuance. The company must implement KSA-prescribed methods for detecting and analyzing signals indicating players may struggle with gambling's financial consequences, followed by appropriate intervention measures.
Warning
Non-compliance with the binding directive could trigger escalated sanctions, including fines or ultimately license revocation for remote gambling services in the Netherlands.
Hillside has lodged an objection against the binding directive, challenging the regulator's enforcement action through available legal channels.
This enforcement action underscores KSA's intensified focus on affordability assessment compliance across the Dutch market. The directive establishes clear precedent that superficial questionnaire-based approaches will not satisfy regulatory expectations for robust player protection systems.
Operators should anticipate heightened scrutiny of their affordability procedures, particularly regarding calculation methodologies and intervention trigger mechanisms. The case demonstrates that technical compliance gaps can result in immediate regulatory intervention, regardless of operator size or market presence.
Compliance Best Practice
Operators should immediately review their affordability assessment procedures to ensure they go beyond simple questionnaires. Implement robust calculation methodologies and automated intervention triggers to avoid regulatory scrutiny and potential sanctions from KSA.
Players aged 18-23 years trigger affordability assessments at deposits exceeding €300 per calendar month, while those 24 years and older face scrutiny above €700. These thresholds require operators to conduct proper affordability tests or block further deposits.
KSA warned all gambling operators in early 2025 that questionnaires were unsuitable for conducting proper affordability tests. The regulator found that Hillside's reliance on player questionnaires about income levels failed to provide adequate player protection measures.
Non-compliance with the binding directive could trigger escalated sanctions, including fines or ultimately license revocation for remote gambling services in the Netherlands. Operators have strict timelines to remedy violations once directives are issued.
According to Kansspelautoriteit.
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.
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