Nearly 80 companies interested in Netherlands online gaming licenses

The Netherlands gambling regulatory body Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has issued an “intermediate update”, detailing that 79 interested firms have approached its organization detailing interest in securing KSA online gambling licenses.

KSA opened its operator registration process on June 5, as the regulator published its new long-term strategy towards establishing its long-awaited Remote Gambling Act. Led by new Chairman Rene Jansen, the KSA maintains its target that a new gambling act will be officially sanctioned by summer 2020, leading to the new Dutch gambling market being opened by 1 January 2021.

The Dutch regulator has granted betting incumbents until 21 June to indicate their potential interest in applying for licenses, by filling a KOA license form.

The Ministry of Justice and Security is currently developing new legislation into “lower regulations.” Once reviewed, the KSA will draw up its definitive permit conditions, allowing operators to officially apply for operators.

In KSA’s June update, Jansen disclosed that the governing body was doing “everything in its power to get the job done”, warning the government that the licensing process may require additional human resources to meet demands.