Dutch regulator orders Polymarket to halt services or pay fines

The Dutch gambling watchdog has told Polymarket to stop operating in the Netherlands immediately or start paying steep weekly penalties.

On Tuesday (February 17), the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) said it has issued a “last onder dwangsom” (order under threat of a fine) to Adventure One QSS Inc., the company behind the prediction-market platform Polymarket, for providing games of chance to people in the Netherlands without a proper licence.

Under that order, the platform must block access for Dutch users right away. If it fails to do so, the regulator can levy a penalty of €420,000 per week. That amount can double once, reaching a maximum of €840,000.

According to the Ksa, the move follows earlier warnings and discussions with the company. Despite that contact, officials say Dutch users were still able to access and use the service.

Polymarket is under scrutiny in the Netherlands

Polymarket describes itself as a prediction market rather than a traditional betting site. The platform allows users to stake money on the outcome of real-world events, including political elections. In recent months it has drawn attention in the Netherlands for offering markets tied to Dutch political contests.

The company maintains that prediction markets fall outside gambling legislation. Dutch regulators see it differently. After examining how the platform works, the Ksa concluded that its offerings meet the legal definition of a kansspel, or game of chance, which means a Dutch licence is required.

Ella Seijsener, director of licensing and supervision at the Ksa, said prediction markets are growing in popularity but “this kind of company offers bets that are not allowed on our market, even by licence holders. Beyond the societal dangers of these predictions — such as the possible influence on elections — we see this as illegal gambling. If you don’t have a Ksa licence, you have no place on our market.”

The regulator has also signaled that further action could follow. In addition to the weekly penalties, it may impose a separate turnover-related fine if the alleged violations continue.

Dutch gambling rules require any operator offering games of chance to local players to hold a licence from the Ksa. The framework is intended to shield consumers from risks such as addiction, fraud and unfair play. Companies that ignore the rules can face fines, binding orders or other enforcement measures.

The case lands amid a broader crackdown by the Dutch authorities. In recent months, the Ksa has tightened oversight of advertising, including enforcement of restrictions on sports sponsorships, and has questioned the coalition government’s plans to curb illegal gambling ads. At the same time, it has adjusted its licensing system, introducing a streamlined and limited licence option to make compliance clearer for legitimate operators.

Polymarket has also attracted political scrutiny. Lawmakers raised questions after a well-known Dutch internet personality publicly claimed to have earned thousands of euros by betting on his own country’s election through the platform.

Featured image: Polymarket / Canva

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