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Dutch betting trade association takes Meta to court over black market ads

Licensed operators in the Netherlands are suing Meta for failing to stop illegal gambling ads on social media.

Written by the BettingEdgeHub desk, 1 October 2026

The Dutch trade association for licensed online gambling operators has summoned Meta to court. The organization alleges that the tech giant helped spread illegal gambling advertisements across Facebook and Instagram. Most of these ads target Dutch consumers with offers from unlicensed black market operators.

Weak moderation efforts

Current moderation tools on social media platforms are failing to stop the flood of unauthorized promotions. Figures from June show that the platform removed only fifteen percent of illegal advertisements. Even brief exposure to these marketing materials can negatively affect vulnerable consumers looking to place a bet.

Illegal operators use clever tricks to bypass automatic filters and hide their true intentions. Some hide behind fan pages, personal blogs, entertainment websites, and local government profiles. Others use cloaking techniques, redirects to messaging apps, and the unauthorized use of established legal betting brands.

Demanding strict compliance

Legal operators want the court to force Meta to comply with its obligations under the European Digital Services Act. The lawsuit demands better measures to prevent illegal gambling advertisements from reaching users in the country. Lawmakers are also voting on a motion that could allow regulators to fine online platforms for failing to block offending content.

The legal action comes as unlicensed operators adopt increasingly sophisticated schemes to attract players. Expired domain names are often hijacked to use as springboards for illegal betting sites. Cooperation from major social media companies remains essential in detecting and removing these malicious ads quickly.