While gambling in the Netherlands has been legal since the Betting and Gaming Act of 1964, online gambling in the Netherlands was never given the same footing. That has all changed now, though. A recent law (passed in 2019 and made effective in 2021) ensures that Dutch players can now bet at all manner of betting sites, assuming they are licensed.
Betting at non-Dutch licensed offshore sites is just as sketchy as it always was, but now that there are Dutch licensed casinos for you to join, there is a rapidly expanding market available. We’ll introduce you to some of those casinos below and showcase what the new gambling laws in the Netherlands mean for you.
Is online casino gambling legal in the Netherlands? As of September 2021 – it is. For years, online gambling sites were deemed illegal in the Netherlands, while offshore casinos targeting Dutch nationals were fined. Dutch players could always opt to play at these sites and wouldn’t be punished for doing so, but they were hardly legal gambling sites in the Netherlands.
As of September 2021, any operator (irrespective of whether they are based in the Netherlands or not) can now apply for a Dutch gambling license. This is no longer the playthrough of Dutch monopolies. Legit NL online casinos are now live, and if you play at one of those, everything is above board. Allow us to explain more clearly, as we look at each type of betting site available to players in the Netherlands.
Legit NL online casinos are all those sites that are legally licensed out of the Netherlands. Any site which is not cannot be deemed legal. However, Dutch players won’t be prosecuted for signing up at and playing at foreign, offshore casinos. Because they can be heavily fined for catering to Dutch players, some international casinos have blocked players in the Netherlands, though.
Online poker games are now legal in the Netherlands. However, the Dutch authorities have not come up with a “poker license” or something similar, so these games are only available to play at licensed online casinos.
Sports betting has long been legal in the Netherlands, but it has been under the control of the Dutch state monopoly, TOTO. However, now that gambling online has been legalised, foreign bookmakers are invited to join the fray. TOTO will still be legal, too, so you’ll have a choice concerning where you play. Again, offshore sites are a possibility, too, and you won’t be punished for choosing those.
Betting on lotteries is legal in the Netherlands. You can choose the Nederlandse Loterij games, or you can opt to play the EuroMillions or one of the other mainstream European lottery options.
Bingo games are legal if you play them at a Dutch licensed casino. The Netherlands hasn’t made laws that specifically cover online bingo rooms, so there aren’t any licensed – at least, not yet. Foreign sites can be played and aren’t blocked.
Of course, the most trusted online casinos for NL players right now are those that are licensed by the Dutch authorities. However, there are plenty of EU and UK licensed options which are also safe online casinos for players in the Netherlands. Many of these can be found in our online gambling reviews for the Netherlands. Don’t hesitate to check those out to discover top and secure places to play.
Our team is incredibly picky about the sites we recommend to you. They must typically all offer the following:
Our team regularly checks for new online casinos offering games to players in the Netherlands. Any sites we recommend must not only carry the best online casinos games for Netherlands-based players but should also provide RNG-certified titles that have been checked for fair play. There should be transparent pay rates all over 95%, and games should be playable in a free demo version as well as real money. This is the least we will accept from online casinos that accept NL players.
Microgaming casinos are now active in the Netherlands, and the best NetEnt casinos have also acquired NL licenses. So, too, have the following software providers:
Given that the country’s online gambling industry is only just going live, it is not clear if you can deposit at a Netherlands online casino with PayPal yet. However, making euro deposits without added fees and with speedy transaction times is possible at online casinos in the Netherlands with VISA and the following options:
Dutch casinos do not accept cryptocurrencies. However, some international casinos catering to Dutch players offer you this option, with Bitcoin, Ethereum and a few other options provided.
Choosing to claim the best bonuses at online casinos in the Netherlands comes down to a few things. Firstly, you need to ensure that any bonuses you claim have fair wagering requirements of 35x or less. Secondly, they should let you win large sums of money and be able to withdraw it. Finally, any added terms, such as NL online casino bonus codes, should be clearly defined in clear and transparent terms and conditions. Here is a brief run-through of some of the top bonuses you can claim at Dutch casinos…