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Dutch Gambling Association Takes Meta to Court over Illegal Gambling Advertising

By jili tutorial · October 1, 2026

Dutch Gambling Association Takes Meta to Court over Illegal Gambling Advertising

The Dutch trade association for licensed online gambling operators, VNLOK, has escalated its campaign against unlicensed gambling by taking Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to court. The organization alleges that Meta has been instrumental in disseminating illegal gambling advertisements to Dutch consumers. This lawsuit marks a significant step in the ongoing struggle between regulated gambling operators and the persistent black market.

Background: The Dutch Online Gambling Landscape

The Netherlands legalized and regulated online gambling in 2021 under the KOA Act (Wet Kansspelen op afstand). Since then, a licensed market has emerged, but unlicensed or “black market” operators continue to target Dutch players through aggressive advertising. VNLOK, representing licensed operators such as Holland Casino, Unibet, and Bet365, has repeatedly called on digital platforms to block these ads. Despite Meta’s policies prohibiting illegal gambling content, the problem persists.

The Core Allegation: Meta’s Moderation Is Failing

Insufficient Removal Rates

According to VNLOK, Meta’s current moderation efforts are wholly inadequate. In June alone, the platform removed only 15% of illegal gambling advertisements that were flagged. This means the vast majority of such ads remained visible to Dutch users, allowing black market operators to continue recruiting players.

Wide Distribution Across Platforms

The illegal ads are not confined to a single channel. VNLOK reports that they appear on:

This broad distribution makes manual detection and removal nearly impossible without automated, proactive filtering.

Statement from VNLOK Chairman

Björn Fuchs, chairman of VNLOK, commented:

“We have repeatedly drawn Meta’s attention to the scale of the problem and asked for structural cooperation on a solution. That has not yielded sufficient results.”

He further emphasized that even short exposure to such ads can negatively affect consumers, as black market operators often lack player protection measures like deposit limits or self-exclusion tools.

How Illegal Operators Evade Detection

VNLOK has documented several sophisticated techniques used by unlicensed gambling operators to bypass Meta’s automated moderation systems:

1. Cloaking

The ad or link displays different content to Meta’s moderation bots than to real users. Regulators see a harmless website, while users are redirected to a full illegal casino interface.

2. Redirects to Telegram

Instead of linking directly to a gambling site, ads redirect users to Telegram groups where they receive private invitations and download links to casino apps.

3. Unauthorized Use of Licensed Brands

Illegal operators hijack the names, logos, and trademarks of reputable Dutch gambling brands to appear legitimate. This confuses both users and moderation systems.

4. Error Message Disguises

Some advanced techniques make links display error messages to regulators or automated scanners, while normal users are seamlessly directed to illegal casino apps.

5. Expired Domain Hijacking

A recent investigation by Dutch radio station BNR revealed that expired domains are being exploited. These domains previously belonged to legitimate websites; after expiration, illegal operators acquire them and turn them into springboards for illegal gambling ads.

The Whac-A-Mole Problem

Fuchs explained the frustration:

“If an illegal operator is removed from one platform, the same operator simply resurfaces via another channel. We end up constantly playing catch-up.”

This highlights why cooperation from platforms like Meta is essential. Without proactive detection, regulators and licensed operators can never fully suppress the black market.

The Lawsuit: What VNLOK Is Demanding

VNLOK is asking the court to order Meta to comply with its obligations under the European Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA requires large platforms to proactively assess and mitigate systemic risks, including the spread of illegal content. Specifically, VNLOK wants:

The lawsuit is not against social media in general, but against the uncontrolled spread of illegal gambling ads — a problem that could be solved with better moderation technology and more rigorous compliance.

Regulatory Context: New Powers for the Dutch Gaming Authority

Upcoming Legislative Vote

This lawsuit coincides with a major regulatory development. Next week, Dutch lawmakers will vote on a motion to grant the Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) expanded powers to fine online platforms like Meta if they fail to take sufficient action against illegal gambling advertisements. Failure to block offending content would result in substantial fines and penalties.

Current Powers and Stance

VNLOK contends that the Gaming Authority already possesses sufficient legal authority to go after companies like Meta under existing gambling laws. However, the authority has strongly supported the government’s tougher approach to the illegal market and favors holding online platforms more accountable.

Why VNLOK Is Acting Now

Rather than waiting for new legislation, VNLOK is pursuing a court action to deliver concrete results as quickly as possible. The organization believes that even if new laws are passed, they may take months or years to implement effectively. Immediate court orders could force Meta to change its behavior today.

Conclusion: A Broader Fight Against the Black Market

The battle between regulated gambling operators and the black market is intensifying. As governments and industry representatives tighten the screws, unlicensed operators respond with increasingly sophisticated schemes. The cooperation of tech giants like Meta is invaluable — not only to detect malicious ads but also to set a precedent for platform accountability under European law.