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Dutch gambling chief calls for European action against illegal betting

The head of the Dutch gambling authority says international cooperation is essential to stop illegal betting sites.

Written by the BettingEdgeHub desk, 14 September 2026

Michel Groothuizen, who leads the Kansspelautoriteit, warned that unlicensed sites take half of all money wagered by players in the Netherlands. He explained that national regulators are too small to fight global criminal networks alone. This means European nations must work together to tackle the black market.

The scale of illegal betting

The global illegal gambling market generates massive revenue that dwarfs the economies of many countries. Many people assume unlicensed operators are simply foreign companies with fair business practices, but this view is outdated. Regulators now face ruthless criminal organizations using advanced technology to target vulnerable players.

The Dutch parliament recently discussed several proposed changes to local gambling laws. Lawmakers debated raising the legal gambling age to 21 and discussed new advertising restrictions. Officials also considered blocking illegal websites and using undercover identities to catch unlicensed operators.

Holding tech giants accountable

Illegal operators frequently use social media platforms to market their products to unsuspecting bettors. Dutch authorities are trying to hold major technology companies responsible for hosting these advertisements. However, local regulators lack the power to force compliance from multinational technology firms without support from other European nations.

Global financial watchdogs and betting industry associations are also pushing for stronger international cooperation. Organizations like the Financial Action Task Force want governments to share risk data and improve public and private collaboration. Without a united front, national regulators will continue struggling against offshore operators.