Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) The Stamp of Secure Online Gaming in the Netherlands
Established on April 1, 2012, the Dutch Gaming Authority, or Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), prioritizes safeguarding consumers, curbing gambling addiction, and thwarting illicit activities. As an autonomous entity, it upholds the Dutch Gambling Act (2021), operating under the mandate of the Minister for Legal Protection. With a focus on regulatory enforcement and public welfare, KSA plays a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the Dutch gambling market.
- Jurisdiction: Kansspelautoriteit
- Website: https://kansspelautoriteit.nl/
- Address: Anna van Buerenplein, 45A, 2595 DA The Hague
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 070 302 13 00
- Founded: 2012
- Register an Online Casino Complaint: https://formulieren.kansspelautoriteit.nl/meld-probleem/
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How Does Kansspelautoriteit Work?
As the Dutch gambling regulatory body, Kansspelautoriteit, or KSA for short, ensures all players in the Netherlands are accessing safe and secure live casinos and gambling sites. Any operator wishing to offer their services to gamblers located in the country must hold an official gambling license from KSA. In doing so, their site is highlighted as providing fair gaming to its users.
It is also through this official KSA license that gambling operators can be held accountable for everything that happens on their website(s). So, if there is an issue and a player wants to complain about it, there is a route to take should the operator be unresponsive to them. Considered as one of the best gambling regulation authorities in the world, it’s always a good idea to seek out Dutch casinos with a KSA stamp.
KSA License Requirements and Fees
For an operator to payout and make money from providing games of chance in the Netherlands, they must hold a gambling permit. Strict conditions for acquiring and maintaining that permit are also in place. Online games of chance with a permit are only permitted according to Article 31a of the Gambling Act (the KOA permit).
To apply for a license from KSA costs €48,000. If the authority rejects the license application or suspends its consideration, there will be no refund of this money possible. Any documents submitted to support the application should be clear, in PDF format, in colour, and searchable via Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
All documents should be submitted in their original Dutch language or translated by a translator, preferably one sworn in the Netherlands. Exceptions to this rule include ICT-related documents, contracts with third parties (B2B), audit reports and certifications. These can be provided in English, but KSA may still request a translation from a translator.
Ideally, a license holder should have its main registered office in an EU or EEA member state. Operators need to provide their policies on a series of different issues, while three specific documents must be submitted with an application. This includes:
- A current (not older than 60 days) extract from the applicant’s trade register.
- Applicable statutes at the time of application – Applicant Articles of Association.
- A topical organization chart.
How to Submit a Complaint to Kansspelautoriteit?
The KSA notes that if a player encounters any problems with an operator, then this can be reported to them. Issues such as an operator providing their gambling services in the Netherlands without a license or not paying out the proper winnings to gamers are acceptable complaints. KSA accepts complaints here, regarding any underage gambling taking place at a licensed online site. If an operator is suspected of participating in fraud, this can also be reported.
To raise a complaint with KSA, there are two specific sections of the official website to visit. The first is called “Report a Problem with a Game of Chance”, and it features several sections for you to navigate through. Anonymous reporting of these problems is possible, and you need to give as many details as possible. Sections on the form to add information to include what type of problem you’re reporting, what the problem is, what type of game you are making a report on, inclusion of any screenshots and details on if you’re in trouble because of the game.
The second section is “Reporting Obligation for Permit Holders”. This is for license-holders to report any problems, such as money laundering by players, changes to slot machines and games, and so on.
The Diverse Licensing Types Available at KSA
There are four different types of licenses available to apply for from Kansspelautoriteit. They are licenses for:
- Casino games in which the players play against the licensee.
- Casino games where the players play against each other.
- Sports betting.
- Bets on the results of horse races and harness racing.
In principle, the license holder should have their main registered office, central administration, or place of business within an EU or EEA member state. A decision on any of the license applications noted above will be provided within 6 months. That decision period can also be extended by up to a further 6 months. Permits are granted for a maximum of five years and are not transferable.
Verifying If a Casino Is Regulated by Kansspelautoriteit
If you want to know about the licensed status of an online casino in the Netherlands, you can check in two ways. Most platforms holding licenses from KSA, Spelinspektionen, UKGC and MGA will often display the seal of the brand on its site, likely in the footer with the regulatory body’s own logo there to highlight it.
Alternatively, you can search for the license via the Kansspelautoriteit online website. There, you can input the casino and/or the operator's name into the relevant search box under the ‘Safe Online Gambling’ section.
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Look for the KSA logo in the footer of the casino website.
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Visit the official KSA website and search for the casino or the operator.
Regulator Benefits and Disadvantages
A few advantages come with holding a Dutch gambling license. These even extend beyond legal compliance, too. Any operator holding a license gets access to the country’s well-regulated and lucrative gambling market. This allows them to tap into the thriving online gambling scene there, featuring a wide range of games for different interests.
At the same time, the gambling market in the Netherlands is subject to rigorous oversight by the Dutch Gambling Authority. This means that there is a level playing field in operation for all license holders. As a result, fair competition and trust among players is at a high level.
- Strict and trustworthy regulatory body
- Only a few documents required for application
- Provides four ideal license options
- No refund for denied application
Online Casinos Monitored by the Dutch Gambling Regulator
In 2021, the Dutch Gambling Act came into force, and this introduced a new, legal framework for any operator looking to provide online gambling services to the Netherlands. The market in the country is vast and lucrative, which is why many top brands have turned to KSA for a proper license. They all want their share of the market. As of now, 27 operators hold licenses from the regulatory body, with more expected to obtain such in the future.
FAQ
When Did KSA Start Operating?
Kansspelautoriteit was launched in April of 2012 and since 2021 has been catering to the legal online gambling scene in the Netherlands as well as the land-based industry.
What Is the Cost for a Kansspelautoriteit License?
Anyone looking to provide online gambling in the Netherlands must apply for an official license, which costs €48,000.
How Do I Know a Casino Is Licensed by KSA?
You can find the KSA logo in the footer of any licensed casino or you can search for the site or operator via the Kansspelautoriteit website.
Where Is Kansspelautoriteit Based?
The Dutch regulatory body bases itself out of The Hague in the Netherlands.
