The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has revised its guidance regarding the means test for online gambling deposits. This update, released early July 2026, comes in response to ongoing compliance issues despite previous improvements in the sector. The revised guidance provides operators with clearer instructions on evaluating players’ financial capacity to handle higher deposit limits, a crucial aspect of the Dutch responsible-gaming framework established back in October 2024. This development is significant as it seeks to enhance player protection and ensure compliance within the rapidly evolving online gambling market.
Under the current Dutch regulations, online gambling operators are required to conduct a means test when players request to exceed monthly deposit limits. These limits are set at €300 net for players aged 18 to 24 and €700 for those aged 24 and over. The means test is designed to prevent players from gambling beyond their financial means, aligning with the KSA’s “duty of care” obligations introduced in 2024. The revised guidance, published this week, aims to resolve ambiguities present in the initial directive issued in February 2025.
A critical update in the guidance specifies that operators must base monthly deposit limits solely on players’ structural income, which refers to recurring income sources. Notably, the KSA advises against including non-recurring assets such as savings, business assets, home equity, and one-off payments like bonuses and gifts in the affordability calculations. The regulator found that prior ambiguities had led some operators to incorrectly consider these non-recurring assets, resulting in inaccurately inflated deposit limits.
Following the initial guidance, the KSA conducted sample checks on 20 licensed operators, uncovering consistent non-compliance and procedural weaknesses. Consequently, the regulator initiated various enforcement actions, including 10 improvement interviews, three formal warnings, and one binding instruction. The KSA plans to maintain focused supervision and continue its oversight to ensure full adherence to the updated standards.
An original report published in October of last year showed that public support for the deposit limits has grown, with backing increasing from 76% to 82% among 1,507 respondents over two years. This rising support underscores the public’s growing awareness and acceptance of responsible gambling measures.
The updated guidance also outlines several recommended practices that operators are encouraged to adopt. These practices include prohibiting operator-initiated increases to deposit limits above €300 per month for young adults, regardless of their declared income. Additionally, operators are advised to apply a lower proportion of net income than the standard 30% when determining safe recreational spending limits for low-income players.
Operators are also encouraged to allow a one-time deposit exceeding the player’s limit before imposing a hard cap of either €300 or €700, provided the means test has not been completed. Furthermore, the guidance stresses the importance of thoroughly documenting how net deposit limits are calculated and retaining this evidence in player records.
The guidance further recommends using multiple recent payslips or averaging cumulative pay over a given period to establish a more accurate estimation of a player’s monthly income capacity. This recommendation aims to enhance the precision of affordability assessments and ensure compliance.
Conversely, the revised guidance lists 13 examples of “bad practice” that operators should avoid. These include accepting unverified income based solely on player self-declarations, using documentation that cannot be reliably traced, and imposing bonus restrictions for less than the mandatory 30-day period following a deposit limit intervention. Common calculation errors are also highlighted, such as inflating a player’s net income by using their highest payslip instead of averaging. Other noted poor practices include treating liquid assets, a partner’s income, loans, or earmarked social benefits as structural income.
The KSA’s efforts to refine the means testing process reflects an ongoing commitment to enforcing responsible gambling policies and protecting players from excessive gambling-related harms. By establishing clearer guidelines and maintaining rigorous oversight, the regulator aims to ensure that operators remain compliant and that players are safeguarded against financial risks.
Looking ahead, the KSA’s continued supervision and enforcement actions are expected to drive further compliance improvements within the sector. As the online gambling landscape continues to evolve, the regulator will likely reassess and refine the regulatory framework to address emerging challenges and maintain player protection.
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