Dutch Regulator Clarifies Deposit Limit Rules for Online Gambling
Dutch Gambling Regulator Updates Deposit Limit Rules – Operators Must Use Structural Income for Affordability Checks
Key Takeaways
- The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has revised its guidance on affordability checks for online gambling operators.
- Operators must base higher deposit limits solely on structural monthly income, excluding assets and one off payments.
- The €300 and €700 net monthly deposit thresholds introduced in October 2024 remain in force.
- The KSA has already taken enforcement action against several licence holders for weak controls.
- Operators must document calculations and store evidence in player records for supervisory review.
Revised Guidance Focuses on Structural Monthly Income
The Dutch Gambling Authority, known as the KSA, has updated its good and bad practices document on affordability checks after inspections revealed shortcomings at licensed online gambling operators. The revision clarifies how operators must assess whether a player can afford to exceed standard deposit thresholds under the Netherlands duty of care framework.
Under current rules, operators must block further deposits once a player crosses the applicable net monthly threshold, unless they can demonstrate that the player is financially able to bear additional gambling losses. The updated guidance makes clear that this assessment must rely exclusively on structural income, defined as recurring monthly income.
The KSA explicitly states that operators may not include liquid assets, business assets, home equity, one off bonuses, gifts, loans, social benefits earmarked for specific expenses, or income from a partner when calculating affordability. The regulator also prohibits using one off payments to justify higher deposit limits.
€300 and €700 Deposit Thresholds Remain Central
The Netherlands introduced net monthly deposit thresholds of €300 and €700 in October 2024 as part of tighter responsible gambling measures. When a player reaches these levels, further deposits must be blocked unless a documented means test supports a higher limit.
According to the KSA, earlier guidance issued in February 2025 led to confusion in parts of the market. Some operators interpreted the previous document too broadly and factored in non recurring assets when setting higher limits. This practice resulted in deposit ceilings that the regulator considered inconsistent with safe and responsible gambling standards.
The revised document aims to remove ambiguity. Operators must now apply a more direct income calculation method and clearly link verified net monthly income to recreational gambling expenditure.
Supervision and Enforcement Measures Intensified
Following the publication of its earlier guidance, the KSA reviewed 20 licence holders to assess compliance with deposit limit rules. The regulator reported progress in certain areas but also identified weak procedures and ongoing non compliance.
Enforcement actions to date include 10 improvement interviews, three formal warnings, and one binding instruction. The KSA has stated that it will continue focused supervision of deposit limit checks and responsible gambling files.
For operators, the regulator’s expectations are operational rather than theoretical. A valid means test must include proof of income, documented calculations, and a clear rationale showing how a specific deposit limit was determined. The KSA also requires operators to retain supporting evidence in individual player records so that supervisory reviews can verify how decisions were made.
Detailed Examples of Good and Bad Practices
The updated guidance contains concrete examples intended to standardize industry practice. Recommended approaches include using multiple recent payslips or averaging cumulative income over a defined period to determine structural monthly earnings.
For lower income players, the KSA instructs operators to apply a lower percentage of net income than the standard 30 percent benchmark when calculating what constitutes safe recreational gambling expenditure. This reflects a more conservative approach for financially vulnerable groups.
The regulator also highlights specific safeguards for young adults. Operators should block operator led increases above €300 per month for young players, even if those players state that their income would allow for higher spending. In cases where a player has not completed a means test, operators may permit one one off deposit above the threshold, but must then impose a hard cap of €300 or €700.
In total, the KSA lists 13 examples of bad practice to clarify unacceptable conduct. While not all examples are detailed publicly, the document makes clear that insufficient documentation, reliance on non recurring income sources, and weak internal controls fall short of regulatory expectations.
Market Context: Responsible Gambling Rules and Channelisation Debate
The revised guidance comes at a time when the Dutch online gambling market is already under pressure from stricter responsible gambling measures and tax increases. According to KSA data published in 2026, the introduction of tighter rules has reduced player losses at licensed operators.
At the same time, some reports have raised concerns that stricter limits could encourage higher spending players to seek offshore gambling sites that operate outside the Dutch licensing regime. The KSA’s updated guidance addresses affordability checks within the regulated market, reinforcing the duty of care obligations that apply to licensed providers.
For international operators active in the Netherlands, and for users comparing licensed platforms, the clarification underscores the importance of transparent income verification procedures and clearly defined deposit limits.
Our Assessment
The KSA’s updated guidance tightens the practical application of deposit limit rules by restricting affordability assessments to structural monthly income and requiring detailed documentation. Enforcement actions against multiple licence holders indicate that supervision is ongoing. For licensed operators, compliance now depends on verifiable income calculations, clear record keeping, and consistent application of the €300 and €700 thresholds within the Dutch responsible gambling framework.
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