KSA Cracks Down on Illegal Slot Machines Amid Casino Closure

Last month, the Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit/KSA) announced it would double down on its regulatory efforts to crack down on the black market.

Now, the same regulatory authority is announcing a stronger stance on illegal gambling operations as the country’s land-based gaming market comes under increasing strain. 

Fears Concerning Unlicensed Gaming Machines  

The decision comes amid a recent hike in gambling taxes that has hit the sector hard, forcing several casinos and gaming halls to shut down across the Netherlands. 

This has raised red flags for the KSA, which fears that unlicensed gaming machines could now be making their way into illegal use.

As more licensed establishments close their doors, the KSA is stepping in to ensure that gaming equipment doesn’t slip into the black market. 

Officials are engaging directly with license holders, offering guidance on what to do with existing machines, and making it clear they’re ready to act if necessary.

One recent example mentioned on the KSA website involved the auction of machines from a closed arcade. These were high-quality, professional-grade machines, and the regulatory body wasted no time in contacting the new owners. 

Each buyer received a detailed letter laying out the legal obligations for operating such equipment.

“In order to be allowed to place a gaming machine in a catering establishment or arcade, an operating permit must first be issued by the KSA.”, said the letter. 

“If it concerns a gaming machine, an additional presence permit for the location must be requested from the municipality where the provider wants to place the machine,” the regulator further stated.

More Than a Legal Formality

These operating and municipality permits are not just a formality, since they involve a thorough review of the operator’s integrity (including the integrity of managers and administrators) as well as their approach to preventing gambling addiction, along with measures to keep minors away from the machines.

The KSA also made it clear that unauthorized use of gambling machines will not be tolerated, while announcing it would work in close coordination with the police, municipalities, and the Regional Information and Expertise Centers (RIEC) to crack down on illegal activity. 

Earlier this year, an unlicensed casino in Hoogeveen was shut down in a joint operation with law enforcement. Dozens of slot machines were confiscated.

The regulator also has the authority to destroy seized equipment. In early 2025, slot machines and a roulette table taken during a previous investigation in Papendrecht were permanently dismantled to prevent them from reentering the market.

With increased enforcement and a firm approach, the KSA is making it clear that it will not allow a weakened legal market to give rise to illegal gambling.

At the end of March, the independent administrative body investigated direct links to illegal websites as well as a series of promotional features, including recommendations and provider logos.