Remote Gambling Act: your rights and obligations as a player

Since October 1, 2021, online gambling has been legal in the Netherlands under the Remote Gambling Act. The Kansspelautoriteit (Gaming Authority) strictly supervises this. Players are only allowed to play with providers holding a Dutch license. These operators are required to check your BSN (citizen service number) and consult the CRUKS register. This way, they guarantee fair play, prevent money laundering, and offer protection against addiction through an active duty of care.

What does the Remote Gambling Act mean for you?

For you as a player, this law is all about safety. Online gambling in the Netherlands is only legal with providers holding a valid license from the Kansspelautoriteit. This system came into effect on October 1, 2021. It replaced the old ban with regulated market supervision on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Security. Do you choose a license holder under direct supervision? Then you benefit from guaranteed fairness, protection against addiction, and legal certainty regarding payouts.

The act modernizes the outdated Gambling Act (Wet op de kansspelen - Wok) specifically for digital channels. Under the old Wok, a closed system was in place where online play was effectively prohibited. The new act breaks this monopoly by introducing a licensing system. Providers are now allowed to legally offer their services to Dutch players. However, they must meet strict requirements regarding addiction prevention and integrity. The act creates a new framework for 'remote gambling'. These are games in which you participate without physical contact with the organizer.

Who supervises the implementation?

The Kansspelautoriteit is the independent regulator that enforces the law on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Security. This authority assesses license applications, grants licenses, and continuously monitors compliance with regulations. A legal provider must hold a license and be able to demonstrate this. You will often see the Kansspelautoriteit quality mark on the website. The regulator checks whether providers comply with the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act (Wwft). They also monitor playing behavior. Via the Kansspelwijzer (gaming guide), you can verify which companies have a valid license. This is the first step toward a safe gaming environment. Well-known brands such as Holland Casino Online, TOTO, and Unibet meet these requirements and operate within this legal framework.

Your safety: CRUKS, identity and duty of care

The explanation of the Remote Gambling Act for players rests on three pillars: registration in the Central Register for Exclusion from Gambling (CRUKS), strict identity verification using your BSN, and the active duty of care of providers. These measures are not bureaucratic hurdles. They are essential safeguards against money laundering and gambling addiction. Legal operators automatically check whether you are not registered in CRUKS. They proactively monitor your gaming behavior to limit risks.

How does the link with CRUKS work?

The Central Register for Exclusion from Gambling, better known as CRUKS, is a national system. It contains the names of individuals who are temporarily or permanently excluded from gambling due to gambling problems. Every license holder is legally required to consult this register before a player is granted access to the platform. Are your details in CRUKS? Then registration at legal sites will be immediately refused. This link primarily serves as a tool for addiction prevention. It prevents vulnerable players from impulsively depositing money during a crisis period. The exclusion applies for a minimum of six months up to a maximum of 99 years, depending on the severity of the situation.

Why is verification using the BSN and DigiD mandatory?

Providers use your BSN for unique identification, often linked to verification via DigiD. This is necessary to perform a foolproof age check (18+). It also combats money laundering in accordance with the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act (Wwft). By linking the BSN to your account, the operator knows for sure that you are who you say you are. Identity fraud is thus ruled out. They store this data in encrypted form in a control database. Only the Kansspelautoriteit has access for supervisory purposes. Without this verification, no transaction is allowed to take place. This effectively curbs financial crime within the sector.

What does the casinos' duty of care entail?

Casinos have an active duty of care. They must identify risky behavior and intervene in a timely manner. This goes beyond passive rules. Operators analyze playing behavior and warn players via pop-ups if their stakes deviate from previously set limits. Guidelines for addiction prevention, such as the Ksa's Duty of Care Guide, support this. Providers must proactively initiate a conversation in case of anomalous patterns. Players can set play limits for time and money themselves. The provider must intervene if these limits are structurally ignored. In case of serious warning signs, the operator advises or mandates registration in CRUKS to prevent further harm.

Financial matters: tax, bonuses and payment methods

With legal providers in the Netherlands, you do not have to pay gambling tax yourself as a player. The license holder deducts this withholding tax directly from winnings above the threshold. Paid-out amounts are therefore net. You do not need to file a tax return with the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst). Promotions are subject to strict rules of the Advertising Code Committee (Reclamecode Commissie). Secure payment methods such as iDEAL are standard. Credit facilities often remain blocked to prevent excessive gambling behavior.

Do I have to pay gambling tax myself?

No, with a provider holding a Dutch license, you are relieved of any tax-related administrative burdens. The gambling tax is 29% of the gross gaming result. This only applies if the prize is higher than €499 per game round or promotion. Crucially, the legislature looks at the paid-out amount, not your net profit (payout minus bet). The legal provider acts as the withholding agent. They transfer the tax directly to the state. You receive the remaining amount in your account without further obligations.

Are you playing on an illegal site without a Dutch license? Then the responsibility lies entirely with you. You must declare the winnings yourself and pay the 29% tax. In addition, you run the risk of the provider not paying out at all. In that case, you lose twice: your stake and the potential tax assessment on winnings you never received. Therefore, always choose a licensed party to avoid this tax complexity.

What rules apply to bonuses?

A Bonus is a marketing tool, but since the introduction of the KOA Act, rules have been tightened. The Advertising Code Committee ensures that advertising and promotions do not encourage excessive or risky gaming behavior. Specifically, this means that bonus advertisements must not be targeted at individuals under the age of 24. Offering bonuses during active gameplay is prohibited.

Read the Bonus terms and conditions carefully before accepting a welcome bonus. These terms must be transparent and clearly explain what is expected of you, such as any wagering requirements. Furthermore, you always have the right to opt-out ("no bonus"). This ensures you are not unwantedly bound by restrictions that could block your withdrawals. Remember: a bonus is never 'free money', but a contract with specific conditions that influence your gaming behavior.

Are all payment methods allowed?

For secure transactions, iDEAL, a direct online bank transfer, is the standard for Dutch providers. This method links directly to your own bank account. It offers high security because the bank has already verified the payer's identity. Other methods such as prepaid cards or e-wallets may also be available. However, they must comply with the strict anti-money laundering regulations (Wwft) that license holders are subject to.

Notably, credit cards are often blocked for deposits. This is not a technical limitation, but a conscious choice within the duty of care. Using credit while gambling can lead to debt problems. This goes against the principle of responsible gaming. By refusing credit card payments, the regulator forces providers to ensure players only play with money they actually own. Always check whether the payment method is registered in your own name to avoid issues with payouts.

How to recognize a legal and safe online casino

A legal provider operates exclusively with a valid license from the Kansspelautoriteit. As a player, this offers direct protection against fraud and addiction. Transparency is the core of this safety. Always check whether the platform is on the official Whitelist Kansspelautoriteit and displays the mandatory quality mark. Without this verification, you are playing at an illegal provider. You then forfeit crucial safeguards such as guaranteed payouts and access to the CRUKS register.

Where can you find the whitelist of legal providers?

The Kansspelautoriteit publishes an up-to-date Whitelist Kansspelautoriteit via the Kansspelwijzer. This contains all license holders. Never play with providers that are not on this list. Their status has not been verified by the regulator. This list is the only reliable source to determine if a site is under Dutch supervision. An illegal provider will be conspicuously absent from this register, despite any misleading claims on their own website.

What is the official quality mark for legal sites?

Legal providers prominently display the quality mark 'Vergunning Kansspelautoriteit' in the footer of their website. This is unmistakable proof of legitimacy. This quality mark is linked to the license and may only be used by approved entities. Although an illegal provider sometimes copies this logo unlawfully, the combination with the Whitelist Kansspelautoriteit provides certainty. The absence of this specific quality mark is a direct signal of risk.

What are the risks of an illegal provider?

With an illegal provider, you have no right to payout. There is no CRUKS protection and no recourse with the Kansspelautoriteit in case of disputes. Unlike legal platforms, these sites do not perform mandatory identity checks. This increases money laundering risks. Players at an illegal provider miss out on the duty of care and fall outside the Whitelist Kansspelautoriteit. They are therefore completely unprotected against manipulation.

About This Article - Editorial Standards

• Author: Sarah Weber - Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst

• Factually reviewed by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming Compliance Analyst

• Last updated: 2026-08-10.

This article on "Remote Gambling Act explanation for players" was written by Sarah Weber and factually reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content for changes in regulation, licensing and bonus terms. All references to licences, regulators and statutes link to public sources (the local gambling regulator, the applicable local gambling statute).

About the Author

8+ years reviewing casinos, 200+ personally tested platforms across the EU and globally. Former member of the eCOGRA Player Advocacy Program (2018-2022). Specialty: wagering requirements, withdrawal workflows, customer-support evaluation.

About the Reviewer

12+ years in the iGaming industry, including 5 years as a compliance consultant for licensed operators across multiple regulated markets. PhD in Economic Mathematics. Focus areas: bonus mathematics, wagering analysis, and player-protection systems.

Responsible Gambling

Gambling can be addictive. If you feel you are losing control of your play, please reach out to the relevant problem-gambling helpline or use the national self-exclusion register (the relevant national self-exclusion register). Set personal deposit and loss limits BEFORE you play with real money. Operator pauses and cooldown tools exist to keep play sustainable.

Legal Notice

The information in this article is provided for editorial and comparison purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Players are responsible for compliance with local regulations.