GiH Christmas interview with KSA Chair Michel Groothuizen + news roundup

Gaming in Holland interviews Netherlands Gambling Authority Chair Michel Groothuizen 

Just before the end of 2025, we managed to sit down with Netherlands Gambling Authority Chair Michel Groothuizen for a wide-ranging interview [link] on the latest developments in the Dutch gambling market, including black-market growth, player protection, and more.   

The interview also covers, among other things, the Gambling Authority's new “Disconnect” and “Duty of Care” programs, the impact of current gambling tax rate on the legal market, and the regulator's desire for more international cooperation. 

“Since the introduction of stricter player protection measures in October 2024, we hardly see any excesses in the legal market.”   

“Compared to a few years ago, we see that illegal operators tend to be larger and more aggressive.”  

“It would be very, very helpful if new legislation were adopted that further clarifies and defines what facilitating illegal gambling means.”  

“When it comes to player protection, I prefer clear and straightforward rules.” 

Read the full interview here.

Save the dates: Gaming in Europe in 2026 

Gaming in Europe will return in 2026 with its three customary conferences: 

• Gaming in Holland Conference – June 4, Amsterdam 

• Gaming in Spain Conference – July 2, Madrid 

• Gaming in Germany – November 10, Berlin 

  
  

These events are THE place where domestic and international stakeholders in the regulated Dutch, Spanish, and German gambling markets meet.  

Save the dates! 

In case you missed it: 

BetCity joins trade association VNLOK 

Following the merger of the NOGA and VNLOK trade associations earlier this year, BetCity has become the latest former NOGA member to join VNLOK.  

At present, the only remaining former NOGA members who have not (yet) officially joined VNLOK are Unibet and ComeOn. However, Unibet's parent company, FDJ is already a VNLOK member through its ZEbet subsidiary.  

KVA finds systematic SEO attacks on Dutch casino affiliates 

KVA, the quality mark for responsible affiliates, has found that a significant part of its membership has been the victim of a systematic and organized campaign to lower their Google search rankings. 

The aim of the campaign appears to have been to lower the visibility of affiliates promoting licensed offerings so as to increase the relative visibility of competitors promoting illegal alternatives.  

Netherlands Gambling Authority hits Jack's Online with €400.000 fine 

The Netherlands Gambling Authority has issued a €400.000 fine to JOI Gaming, owner of the JACK's casino brand, over advertising violations.  

According to the regulator, the operator used role models to promote its brand during and after JACK's Racing Day 2023, contrary to the prevailing role model ban in gambling advertising.   

Belgium's Constitutional Court rules that advertising restrictions must also apply to National Lottery 

Belgium's Constitutional Court has found that the National Lottery may not be exempted from the country's general gambling-related advertising restrictions and minimum age requirements.  

The successful suit was brought by several private gambling operators who argued that the National Lottery's exemptions amounted to unlawful discrimination of the lottery's competitors.