Dutch KSA Updates Deposit-Limit Requirements for Gambling Operators

The authority’s document provides a comprehensive explanation of how operators should assess players’ financial capabilities prior to raising deposit caps. The new requirements are consistent with responsible gambling practices.

Reasons Behind Stricter Controls and Inspection Outcomes

The introduced standards clarify the contentious provisions of the instructions presented in February 2025. Some brands interpreted the previous version of the recommendations too broadly, taking into account even 1-time deposits when approving higher limits. The regulatory body states that this approach is not aligned with the principles of responsible gaming.

The KSA inspected 20 certified companies and found several common violations in the existing control systems.

To eliminate these shortcomings, the Dutch regulator has taken several steps:

• carried out 10 interviews with licensees to enhance the current situation;
• issued 3 formal warnings via official communication channels;
• presented a binding instruction, with more measures to follow.

Key Criteria for Estimating User Earnings

The revised guidelines clearly define acceptable and inappropriate approaches to evaluating customers’ financial capacity. The main rule is that only stable, verified revenue should be considered when setting caps.

Operators are not allowed to assess a gambler’s financial status based on:

• income from partners;
• business assets;
• borrowed funds;
• equity shares;
• 1-time gifts.

Among the acceptable methods are:

• establishing deposit limits based on recent payslips or the average income over a certain period;
• using a lower percentage of net profits (less than 30%), which clients with smaller salaries can spend on gaming;
• automatically rejecting limit increases above €300 per month for young players, even with high checks;
• permitting only 1 deposit exceeding the set maximum until a detailed due diligence is conducted;
• saving records that verify the customer’s financial status in their file for future inspections.

It is also crucial to elucidate the distinction between younger and older players. The 1st audience segment is permitted to replenish their accounts by a maximum of €300 per month, whereas for individuals aged 24 and above, the limit increases to €700.

The following practices are strictly prohibited:

• accepting unverifiable documents and pieces of evidence;
• considering 1-off receipts instead of an average regular payslip;
• including social benefits, savings, gifts, and loans in solvency evaluations;
• lifting restrictions less than 30 days after the deposit limits are implemented;
• refusing to check revenue and relying solely on the customer’s declarations.

Netherlands’ Gambling Industry: Current State

The new standards are introduced amidst:

• broad tax reforms;
• stricter market supervision;
• heightened risk of customer outflow to unlicensed portals.

Last year’s data indicate that the implemented restrictions reduced client losses on certified iGaming platforms. However, niche specialists caution that further tightening of regulations could speed up player migration to illicit offshore websites.