Best Online Casinos for Players from the Netherlands

Introduction

Even though the Netherlands is known for its liberal approach in some spheres, the situation is not the same with online gambling. Interestingly, they are very conservative regarding this, but still, it’s not that consumers cannot play internet-based games.

As confusing as it may sound, they are allowed to gamble online, but only on websites that are located within the borders of this country. However, they are not permitted to do so on offshore platforms. On the other hand, the number of foreign sites accepting clientele from Holland is not a small one- as a matter of fact, it’s growing.

How to be sure you’ve found a good and trustworthy casino for Dutch players?

Picking the one from our ever-growing directory is the safest way to do so, but that’s not where your journey should end. You should take a look at reviews that give a complete insight into game selection, bonuses, customer support, and all important aspects, and then decide which one suits you the best.

If you want to find out more about the best online casinos in the Netherlands, find out more about banking options and policies in this country, this is the place for you. We shall also discuss a bit about the legal framework for gambling, and let readers know what are the options in case they encounter some gambling-related issues. Stay with us and keep reading!

Tips for Dutch Online Gambling

Playing games and claiming bonuses is the interesting part of visiting web-based casinos. But, before doing any of these, you need to investigate a bit in order to find something that fits your demands. One of the first places to visit is Terms and Conditions, where you should look for the following:

• License and other approvals
• The selection of providers and games
• Bonuses, promotions, loyalty schemes
• Banking options and policies
• Customer support and other

We know that this is far from the most interesting thing one can do in an entertainment establishment, but it’s a necessary step to take. As you will see below, online gambling is still not completely regulated in this country, which is why punters need to be extra careful when selecting.

What else can be of great help?

Honest reviews from reputable platforms and other players’ experience. There are many affiliate websites which are specialized in providing insightful articles on all the relevant sectors of an online casino. Those are the points we mentioned above.

Trusted Portals

• Latest Casino Bonuses
• World Casino Directory
• CasinoNewsDaily
• Real Money Action
• KeyToCasinos

Live Dealer Options for Dutch Players

Realizing that the popularity of live games is growing at the speed of light, many online casinos include this category of games in their lobbies. The market of the Netherland is definitely not an exception. Evolution and NetEnt are best in class providers of immersive content in this field, but the number of studios delivering this sort of games is increasing as well.

Here’s the list of top Dutch-friendly venues that offer live dealer games:

Licensed and Regulated Dutch Casinos

On 19 February 2019, the Senate approved the Draft Bill on Remote Gambling. As a result, it will become possible to apply for a license in the Netherlands for the purpose of offering online gambling. The Act is scheduled to come into force on 1 March 2021, while the market is expected to open on September 1, 2021. The very same day Central Exclusion Register gambling Cruks will also come into effect for both online and land-based providers of gambling.

Is there any regulatory institution?

Yes, there’s Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), established on 1 April 2012. This is an independent governance body and the supervisor and regulator of games of chance in the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

One of the indicators that this territory is a desirable one is the fact that in June 2019 183 companies expressed their interest in offering games to Dutch punters. Candidates were tested for specific problems like business operation conditions, presence of addiction prevention policy as well as areas of punter’s ID procedure, quality assurance, and separation of players’ and other funds.

In November 2020…

…KSA went public with the new set of terms and conditions for a license application. Among many requirements, interested companies are required to have strict rules for anti-money laundering, they have to avoid aggressive advertising, and be connected to the Cruks.

Only a couple of months before that, in August 2020, KSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The main purpose of this agreement was to join forces in order to cut down on illegal gambling and minimize criminal activities in respective jurisdictions.

Casino Trust and Security

We are all aware that data traveling on the internet is sensitive, which is why additional protection measures are always more than well-welcome. Transfers of personal data and money need to go as smoothly as possible, which is where 128 bit or some other form of encryption steps in.

In addition to this…

…an operator must ensure the featured releases have a random and fair outcome. That’s what Random Number Generator (RNG) certification serves for. There are numerous test labs which also in charge of checking whether the platform runs in line with the industry’s standards. Those are Gaming Labs International (GLI), Trisigma, BMM testlabs, and others.

Banking Options for Players from the Netherlands

Like in the majority of other jurisdictions, Dutch consumers have versatile payment methods at their disposal.

First and foremost…

…credit cards. Do bear in mind that MasterCard is not permitted but Visa debit and credit cards are available. Any transactions for gambling work pretty much the same as for other purposes.

Also, there are wire transfers. Truth be told, they are not the most favorite ones as the accompanying fees are slightly higher and processing time a bit longer. But, if there are no other options, this one does the job.

Furthermore…

…e-wallets are available as well, representing a well-balanced option between the first two. Skrill, Neteller, and Paysafecard are the most popular, along with iDeal. Based in the Netherlands, this online payment system enables online casino players from this region to deposit funds into their casino accounts in a simple, secure, and familiar manner. At the time being, it is not aimed at the international clientele, only Dutch residents can use it.

What about cryptocurrencies?

These payment assets are still not accepted as digital money in the Netherlands, but they are neither prohibited. The Government strives to regulate cryptocurrencies, but for that to happen, each asset needs to adhere to 4 key principles.

Since 2015, the Dutch National Bank (DNB) has been experimenting with its own crypto asset, the DNBCoin. It serves as an internal learning project for a better understanding of how blockchain technology works and is not in wider circulation yet.

Depositing and Withdrawing when in the Netherlands

One thing for sure- brands that already have a good reputation won’t risk spoiling it by fooling customers, avoiding to grant them rightfully acquired winnings, and similar malpractices. After all, when our team spots such patterns of behavior, we blacklist them so that consumers know which facilities to stay away from.

On the other hand…

…punters are supposed to act responsibly and inform themselves of all the rules. Before making any deposit, each client should find out the following:

• Is there any ID verification procedure for registration/ depositing/ withdrawals?
• What are the min and max limits for deposits and cashouts?
• Does the casino impose any fees on transactions?

Some venues require punters to submit documents upon signing in, while the others demand them upon cashouts. In certain situations, the hub may require notarized documents, which is at players’ expense.

There’s no universal rule…

…which indicates what are the max and min limits for any type of transaction, but one should always rely on the industry’s average. Approximately EUR 5,000 per week and around EUR 20,000 per month is okay. Also, do check what happens with Jackpot winnings- can a player withdraw them as a lump sum or in installments?

Finally- the fees. Generally speaking, no commissions are imposed on deposits, which is not always the case with cashouts. But once again, there are no rules. Each punter should find the answers to these questions. Besides, it’s a good way to test how customer support works, so if you cannot find the desired information in Terms, don’t hesitate to contact them.

Problem Gambling in the Netherlands

In 2016 the WODC (Research and Documentation Centre) of the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security conducted a baseline assessment. As far as the data revealed, there were roughly 8.4 million players. Of the total number, around 95.700 are classified as risk players while about 79.000 are seen as problem gamblers.

KSA has been putting plenty of effort…

… to maintain the environment as safe as possible, and they often penalize operators who breach the rules. This particularly refers to offshore gambling websites with a special focus on those offering live betting, falsely claiming to be operating legally, as well as imposing fees on temporarily inactive accounts.

Just like we mentioned, there’s Cruks, a self-exclusion register which all facilities are required to connect to. Venues also offer various limits which can be of help if one cannot organize his/her habits in a responsible manner. Also, there’s plenty of organizations in charge of providing support and assistance to those experiencing gambling-related harm.

All in all…

… the most important is that the relevant bodies and institutions are giving their maximum to make things run smoothly. It’s mainly up to punters to do the best they can and avoid getting into trouble. So, be responsible and read Terms and Conditions.

Written by: Michael Shackleford