The Dutch gambling regulator KSA reported that more than 4,600 complaints were filed with Meta over ads for unlicensed gambling platforms on Facebook and Instagram in April.
The authority announced this on May 7, 2026. KSA emphasized that combating unlicensed gambling operators remains one of the regulator’s top priorities, especially when it comes to advertising through social media platforms.
“Unlicensed gambling operators place a large number of advertisements on social media. They use the names and logos of well-known Dutch athletes and major brands to increase their credibility. Consumers often find it difficult to determine whether a gambling operator is licensed. Therefore, to protect consumers, KSA is making significant efforts to combat online advertising by unlicensed operators,” the regulator stated.
In response, KSA is strengthening measures against advertising by unlicensed iGaming platforms. To address the issue, the regulator held a meeting with company and organization representatives to discuss ways of protecting brands and trademarks from illegal use.
Countering such advertising is part of KSA’s broader strategy. The regulator cooperates with government agencies, digital platforms, and private companies to remove prohibited content. In 2025 alone, KSA identified around 50,000 advertisements related to unlicensed gambling and also initiated measures to reduce such content in Google search results.
- Official KSA information: Press release
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