It's time to play at licensed online casino in the Netherlands
Legal casinos in the Netherlands
Gambling laws in the Netherlands were introduced in 1964 regulations for land-based casinos. As online casinos did not exist then, the rules were restricted to only land-based casinos. But for more than two decades, different platforms for online betting have been introduced in different parts of the world. The Dutch are enthusiastically seeking these platforms for gambling adventures.
In 2012, an independent governing body known as Kansspelautoriteit was introduced. That regulated the entire gaming market in the Dutch region. But still there was no one to oversee the online market. Fast forward to February 2019, the Dutch remote online gambling law was approved and passed by the Senate. This happened after extensive discussion on online gambling legislation in the States General of the Netherlands.
Based on this law, the government began accepting applications for remote gaming licences two years later, in April 2021. Casino operators who wanted to operate legalised online casinos in the Netherlands could now apply for a licence here. Once the gaming authority licences were given to operators, casinos could be seen online from 1 September 2021. This means that Dutch players will have legal casino online betting on various games of their choice.
Currently, the online betting market in the Netherlands is already regulated by the government. Hence, looking at the enthusiasm of its citizens, it became necessary for the Dutch government to introduce regulatory laws for licensed casino online gambling as well.
Best online casino with an NL licence
What are casino licences? How do casinos get them in the Netherlands?
Casino licences are licensing documents that allow establishments to operate legally. The Dutch government has devised licences to supervise gambling platforms. Moreover, there are a number of regulations in these documents, according to which gambling sites have to manage their affairs. These guidelines for e-gambling are written:
- To guarantee the users fairest bets
- To prevent fraud by casino operators in the name of bonuses or by rigging the game
- To maintain financial transparency between operators and the authorities
- To maintain financial transparency between users and the financial administration
- The government acts as an intermediary when buyers are cheated by casinos and helps resolve the problems
Furthermore, to get the licence, the online casinos without an NL licence must first apply to the licensing authorities. In the Netherlands, legal bookmakers must submit applications to the Kansspelautoriteit. The latter then assesses the application to check whether the operator can meet all the requirements. If the authorities are satisfied, only then do they grant online casino licence Netherlands and allow the operation of the platform in the region.
It should be mentioned that there is only one gambling licence in the Netherlands that applies to all gambling platforms, whether it is a gambling site or a casino.
Status of online gambling in the Netherlands
Several betting platform owners had submitted their applications to the Dutch government to obtain the licence. This was started as early as April 2021. Many applications were accepted by the authorities and granted permission to operate their sites in the Netherlands.
With effect from 1 September 2021, online gaming sites went live to operate legally. Yes, several casinos are safe to visit. So, go ahead and try some exciting online gambling games now!
Playing at a legal online Dutch casino
To play at a licensed legal online casino, first look for the licence. The licence determines whether the platform operates legally or not. You can find this at the bottom of the casino regulation site or on the terms and conditions page.
The next step is to check the licensing body. The licensing institution should also have an honesty. Do some online research and only then register with the site. Hence, to save your time, we list some of the best online casinos licensed and operating in the Netherlands. Check them out below!
What to look for when choosing online casino?
When we review online casinos, we consider a lot of aspects that make them ideal to play at. Let’s take a look at all the features we check and review.
Online Casino Licentie
Licences are of great importance with the gambling platform. A licensed online casino is regulated, which guarantees its authenticity and reliability.
Welcome bonuses
Casinos offer welcome offers in the form of ‘no deposit’ bonus and online casino deposit bonuses.
No deposit bonus: To access this, all you have to do is register with the site. No deposit bonus includes either free spins or some credit points to play there. The free spins can only be played on certain slots. The credit points can be used to play on some specific games mentioned by the casino.
Deposit bonuses: After registering at the sites, players have to add some money to their casino account. Depending on the money added, the casino returns a percentage of the deposit in the form of bonus credits. Bonus credits are not withdrawable. They can be used to play in the casino itself.
Example of deposit bonus: 100% first deposit bonus up to €200: this means, that if your first deposit is €50, the casino will give you €50 (100% matching of your deposit). So you then have a total of €50 (your deposit) + €50 (bonus credit) in your casino account to play.
Banking options and player security
We make sure Dutch punters have enough online banking options that can be easily processed in the country. Moreover, we also check whether the payment options are safe to use according to financial standards.
Jackpots
While just playing is fine, the race for jackpots makes the whole experience exciting for some players. So it is imperative that online sites also offer jackpot games so that users can enjoy them and sometimes win.
Loyalty programmes
These are meant for loyal players who gamble regularly at the casinos. Some of the rewards you can find at the loyalty programme include free spins, player credits, cashback bonuses, tailor-made birthday offers, personal manager, higher and faster withdrawals, and so on.
Customer service
There will be times when you will need assistance from the casino’s side to help you with gambling procedures. This is why we contact the casino’s customer service to check whether they are friendly, attentive and considerate to customers. Accordingly, we rate them.
Variety of top games
Online casino licences need to offer a variety of games to keep their gamblers interested. Players are expected to get bored if they have to play the same games over and over again. So, diversity in the collection of online casino games with exciting features will keep the audience attached to the platform. For example, Dutch casinos pimp their players with a wide game libraty. There are slots, roulette, live casino games and the like.
Modern software
With digital technology advancing rapidly, the software for the games also needs to be updated. This is necessary to make the games work in better quality on different screens. Whether desktop, tablet, laptop or smartphone, the gaming software needs to work compatibly on all devices. As a rule of thumb, casinos adapt their platforms to all devices so players can enjoy top-notch games from Evolution Gaming, Red Tiger Gaming, Playtech, to name a few.
What are the best online casino licences for Dutch players?
The Kansspelautoriteit or Netherlands Gaming Authority (NGA) is responsible for licensing online casinos in the region. It is a government body that regulates the gaming market. They work with the Minister of Law to implement the new and changed policy.
Which online casinos are licensed in the Netherlands?
When calls for licence applications were issued in April 2021, nearly 40 establishments applied. However, the Gaming Authority found 35 that were eligible to be granted an online gambling licence. These include the Dutch Lottery, Holland Casino, ZEbetting & Gaming, Novamedia and a few others.
Conclusion
It is a new dawn in the Dutch world of online betting. While some Dutch punters already had access to online gambling, they can now do so legally in a streamlined way. It is one of the most fun pastimes that can even earn you some money. So, try it out and remember to play responsibly!
Want to know more about unlicensed online casino? Or about the best-paying casinos in the Netherlands? Then take a moment to read our articles and play safely online for real money!
Frequently asked questions
- How can I know which casino is licensed?
Casinos list their licence numbers and the name of the licensing authorities at the bottom of the casino site or on the terms and conditions page. If it is not listed, it is probably not a licensed platform.
- Does it matter if my online casino is licensed overseas?
It is OK to visit online casinos licensed overseas. But note that the Dutch government has authorised the operation of that particular casino in the region.
- Why do some online casinos have an overseas licence? And can I play online there as a Dutch player?
There are several licensing bodies from abroad with good reputations. So, bet sites that want to present themselves as legitimate and reliable seek such well-regarded licences. You can play on such sites if they are sanctioned by the Dutch government.
- Who regulates legal online casinos in the Netherlands?
The Gaming Authority or Netherlands Gaming Authority (NGA) issues licences and regulates online casinos in the country.
- Are online casinos legal in the Netherlands?
From 1 September 2021, online casinos will be legalised to operate in the Netherlands.
- Can Dutch players gamble at offshore casinos?
Yes. Just check the list of casinos authorised by the government to operate in the Dutch territory before visiting a site. Also, you can only access the games of chance explicitly authorised by the government. Anything beyond that still remains illegal.
- Are any online games illegal in the Netherlands?
The Dutch government has legalised online gambling on real-money games of chance. This includes slot machines, table games (blackjack, roulette, etc.), poker, bingo, betting on sports/horse racing, fantasy betting and lotteries. Anything outside these types of games is considered illegal in the region.
- Are online casinos always open?
Yes, online casinos are open 24/7.
- Which casino sites are good for beginners?
Almost all casino sites are good for beginners. Just choose those sites that offer good bonuses and varied gaming options.
- What is the future of online casinos in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands has always had streamlined land-based gambling. Now it has also legalised online betting. Based on this, we can expect the future of online casinos to be even better.
- In what ways do online casinos guarantee security for Dutch players?
Through licensing, SSL encryption tools, anti-malware software and such other technology, the casinos that provide a secure betting platform for Dutch gamblers are equipped.
- What are the best bonuses you can find in legal online casinos in the Netherlands?
Welcome offers, reload bonuses, no deposit bonuses, free spins, cashback and many other best offers can be found at legal online casinos in the Netherlands.
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