Best Betting Sites in the Netherlands
From many perspectives, the Netherlands is one of the most well-known nations in the world. This 17.08 million-strong nation is renowned for the largest port in Europe, its dedicated place in history as a trading hub and, of course, for their world-famous tulips, windmills and quaint rural landscapes. Although some of you may immediately think of coffee shops when hearing of the Netherlands, the vast majority of punters will immediately recall Johan Cruyff, total football and the European exploits of Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord.
With such a rich history in making money, it was natural for betting and other forms of gambling to also find their way as day-to-day activities for the Dutch. For years, the Netherlands online betting scene has flourished without any real efforts of regularisation. However, it looks like things are about to change.
Betting sites in the Netherlands
As mentioned above, the Netherlands is no stranger to gambling and betting. As early as the year 1726, the first state lottery in the world was up and running. And while lotteries still enjoy a lot of popularity in present days, most Dutch bettors choose the Netherlands online bookmakers and football betting. After years of a relaxed attitude towards online sports betting, the authorities look determined to try and regulate the betting scene. We’ll cover this subject more thoroughly below.
Netherlands Betting Legislation
The 2019 Remote Gaming Act, passed in February 2019, is predicted to take effect somewhere around the 1st of July 2020. However, the NGA – or KSA (Kansspelautoriteit) as they call it in the Netherlands – is already busy trying to get everything ready for the moment when Netherlands bookmakers will be able to apply for a license.
The Remote Gambling Act stipulates a 29.1% tax applied on the Gross Gaming Revenue for each licensed bookmaker and an additional 2% that will go towards the KSA as well as the Gambling Fund. The 2% also covers all the responsible gambling associations as all licensed sportsbooks will have to do their part in contributing against addiction and problem gambling.
However, it is also stipulated in the Act that Dutch online sportsbooks that are trying to penetrate the market before all the pieces are put into place by the NGA, will be automatically excluded from the licensing process. However, the way this rule is formulated in the act leaves a lot of room for interpretation. So, all those bookies that are not actively focusing on Dutch punters will be allowed to apply for a license, most probably starting with 2021. However, without a clear definition for ‘actively’ and a defined time frame, it’s all up for debate.
While the Dutch online gaming scene currently allows punters to access international bookies, the KSA issued some considerable fines for those that offered a Dutch website or iDeal as a payment option. The new Remote Gaming Act will also include the possibility for the NGA to block transactions between punters and unlicensed operators.
And while the Netherlands gaming legislation is still far from being completed, the revocation of the Holland Casino privatization plans raised another series of questions regarding the entire process. The €45,000 one-time fee for a license application, coupled with what experts estimated to be around €2 million to be compliant with the new rules, may push many operators towards an apply or retreat type of decision.
Best Netherland Sports Betting Sites
Now that you’re all up to date with the efforts made for regulating the online betting landscape in the Netherlands, speed is of the essence. We’ve put together a list with the top Dutch sportsbooks that can be enjoyed without worry. Each bookie on this list has been verified and tested by our experts to make sure you get the absolute best betting experience.
Furthermore, all the sportsbooks included in this list are allowed in the Netherlands, despite some attempts from authorities to block financial transactions towards them. So, until a transparent system is set in place, with requirements and guidelines for operators to obtain a license, you can enjoy top-quality sports betting at any of these venues that offer the best online betting in Netherlands.
Also, for those that are not entirely convinced that playing at international bookmakers and casino sites in the Netherlands is safe, remember that all the measures taken in the new Gaming Act are facing the illegal bookmakers. Punters can still enjoy the best Dutch bookmakers knowing that there are no legal actions taken against them.
Pros of Unlicensed Betting Sites
- Higher Odds
- Bigger Bonuses (like the Betwinner bonus)
- No Taxes Applied
- Diversity in Sports and Betting Markets
Cons of betting on non-licensed bookmakers
- The only downside of unlicensed betting sites in Netherlands can come from not having a license from another trustworthy regulatory, like the UKGC or MGA.
Payment Methods for Netherlands Online Betting websites
When it comes to payment options for online sports betting, there’s nothing that can really live up to the popularity of iDeal. The bank transfer payment method is widely used in the Netherlands for its increased security, instant transactions and total lack of fees. However, despite the attention iDeal gets, other Dutch betting payment methods manage to get their share of the action as well. At least for diversity sake, online bookmakers also offer credit cards, Giropay, Neosurf or Acceptgiro for their customers. Also, as far as ewallets go, PayPal manages to get a fair share of those who don’t use iDeal.
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