Dutch Trade Body Targets Meta Over Gambling Ads
HighlightsÂ
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Dutch trade group legally challenges Meta over rise in illegal gambling ads.
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KSA highlighted that the regulatory sector dropped to 49% in the first half of 2025.Â
The Dutch trade association VNLOK has launched legal proceedings against Meta and lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission, alleging that the company failed to curb the widespread appearance of illegal online gambling ads targeting users in the Netherlands using Facebook and Instagram.
VNLOK estimates that the illegal online gambling market in the Netherlands is now on par with the regulated market, with annual revenues exceeding €1 billion ($1.1 billion).
According to VNLOK, Meta’s platforms carried more than 70,000 gambling-related advertisements in the last quarter of 2025, with unlicensed operators accounting for more than 95% of them. The association said Meta removed less than 5% of the advertisements despite their widespread presence.
The trade group has only noted that Meta removes offending content when users or authorities flag it.Â
Thousands of complaints were registered with Meta in 2025 about illegal gambling adverts.
Licensed gambling operators accused their counterparts of regularly ignoring measures devised to minimise gambling-related harm.
The legal action coincides with the Dutch government’s intensified crackdown on gambling advertising. In June 2026, the cabinet introduced a proposal for a near-total ban on online gambling advertisements and promotional bonuses, allowing only limited exceptions for licensed operators.
However, licensed operators raised their concerns regarding the proposed regulations, as this could increase the appeal of illegal gambling sites and hinder responsible gambling efforts.
The KSA noted in its 2025 annual report that channelisation declined to 49% during the first half of 2025.
For more information, Read Here!
VNLOK estimates that the illegal online gambling market in the Netherlands is now on par with the regulated market, with annual revenues exceeding €1 billion ($1.1 billion).
According to VNLOK, Meta’s platforms carried more than 70,000 gambling-related advertisements in the last quarter of 2025, with unlicensed operators accounting for more than 95% of them. The association said Meta removed less than 5% of the advertisements despite their widespread presence.
The trade group has only noted that Meta removes offending content when users or authorities flag it.Â
Thousands of complaints were registered with Meta in 2025 about illegal gambling adverts.
Licensed gambling operators accused their counterparts of regularly ignoring measures devised to minimise gambling-related harm.
The legal action coincides with the Dutch government’s intensified crackdown on gambling advertising. In June 2026, the cabinet introduced a proposal for a near-total ban on online gambling advertisements and promotional bonuses, allowing only limited exceptions for licensed operators.
However, licensed operators raised their concerns regarding the proposed regulations, as this could increase the appeal of illegal gambling sites and hinder responsible gambling efforts.
The KSA noted in its 2025 annual report that channelisation declined to 49% during the first half of 2025.
For more information, Read Here!
