jili tutorial

VNLOK Takes Meta to Court Over Illegal Gambling Ads in the Netherlands

By jili tutorial · October 1, 2026

VNLOK Takes Meta to Court Over Illegal Gambling Ads in the Netherlands

The Dutch trade association for licensed online gambling operators, VNLOK, has escalated its dispute with Meta by summoning the technology giant to the Amsterdam District Court. The legal action, announced on 28 September 2026, centres on illegal gambling advertisements that repeatedly appear on Facebook and Instagram, and it marks the culmination of legal proceedings first signalled in June.

This is a landmark case that tests the obligations of major social media platforms under European Union digital regulations — and it carries significant implications for how online gambling advertising is policed across the bloc.

The Dispute Explained

Who Is VNLOK and Why Does It Care?

VNLOK is the trade body representing licensed online gambling operators in the Netherlands. These are companies that have obtained Dutch licences and comply with strict advertising, player protection, and responsible gambling requirements. Illegal gambling operators, by contrast, offer services without any licence, often with weaker safeguards, no age verification, and no self-exclusion mechanisms. This creates an uneven playing field and puts consumers at risk.

What Is the Core Allegation Against Meta?

The heart of the complaint is that Meta is not meeting its obligations under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA imposes specific due diligence and transparency obligations on online platforms, including requirements to act against illegal content once they become aware of it. VNLOK contends that Meta is failing to adequately prevent illegal gambling adverts aimed at Dutch consumers.

The Court Summons: What VNLOK Is Asking For

Seeking a Formal Court Ruling

VNLOK is asking the court to rule that Meta is in breach of its DSA obligations and to compel the company to implement more effective measures to prevent illegal gambling adverts from being displayed to Dutch users. The key demand is that Meta should take action before illegal adverts are published, rather than simply removing them after the fact.

Evidence of Systematic Failure

The trade body’s investigations paint a stark picture. More than 90% of the gambling adverts VNLOK examined on Facebook were found to originate from illegal gambling sites. Worse, Meta’s removal rates were strikingly low: only 11% of illegal adverts were removed in May and 15% in June.

Why Removal After the Fact Isn’t Good Enough

One of the central arguments in the case is that reactive removal is ineffective. Illegal gambling adverts often remain online for only a short period — sometimes just a few days — before being taken down or replaced. By the time a removal request is processed and the advert is removed, significant harm may already have been done. This is why VNLOK argues that prevention, not reaction, must be the standard.

Chairman’s Statement: ‘Insufficient Results’

Björn Fuchs, chairman of VNLOK, said: “We have repeatedly pointed out the scale of the problem to Meta and asked them to cooperate structurally in finding a solution. That has yielded insufficient results. Therefore, we are now submitting the case to the Dutch courts.”

Fuchs stressed that the legal action is not an attack on social media as such. Rather, it is aimed at the facilitation of illegal offerings.

Political Pressure Mounts

A Motion to Give the KSA Real Teeth

The court summons coincides with significant political developments. The Dutch House of Representatives has been considering Motion 24557-288, submitted on 23 September by Bart Bikkers of the VVD, and co-signed by Tijs van den Brink of the CDA and Mohammed Mohandis of PRO.

The motion calls on the government to amend the Betting and Gaming Act so that a platform that repeatedly displays an illegal gambling advert after receiving a removal request commits an offence itself. This would enable the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, to impose administrative fines or orders subject to penalty payments.

Thousands of Removal Requests, Little Effect

The motion notes that the KSA already sends thousands of removal requests to Meta every month — yet these have not yielded structural results. The government was positive about the motion, leaving the decision to the House, which adopted it on 29 September.

A Call for Immediate Action

While VNLOK supports the motion, it has also urged the KSA not to wait for new legislation. Fuchs said: “No legislative amendment is needed for this; the regulator already has those legal options.” In other words, the KSA should be doing more with the powers it already possesses.

The Problem Goes Beyond Meta

A Fragmented Ecosystem of Illegal Offerings

VNLOK is careful to point out that Meta is not the only channel through which illegal gambling providers reach Dutch consumers. These operators also use search engine advertising, misleading redirects, and even Telegram channels.

Fuchs explained: “Meta is currently the party we are taking legal action against, but the problem is broader. If an illegal provider is removed via one platform, the same provider pops up again via another channel. Then we are constantly playing catch-up.”

This highlights the systemic nature of the issue. A single platform can be a gateway, but a comprehensive solution requires engagement from the entire digital advertising ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

This case, alongside the political momentum in the Dutch parliament, signals a tougher era for tech platforms regarding gambling advertising. VNLOK’s decision to pursue legal action under the DSA could set a precedent for how other European countries and trade bodies address illegal gambling content online.

For licensed operators, the message is clear: holding platforms accountable is essential for ensuring a fair, safe, and lawful gambling market. For Meta and other platforms, the message is equally clear: proactive prevention will soon be the price of doing business in Europe.