The Hague, August 2025 – The Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has confirmed that over 100,000 individuals are now listed in Cruks, the country’s central registry for gambling self-exclusion. The surge reflects growing public awareness of responsible gaming, but also raises concerns about accessibility and addictive tendencies within the legal betting market.
Cruks – short for Centraal Register Uitsluiting Kansspelen – applies to all online platforms and land-based venues, including Holland Casino locations and licensed slot arcades. Under Dutch law, players can voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling for a minimum of six months, or even opt for permanent bans. Surprisingly, recent data shows that a significant number of registrants are choosing long-term exclusions, with some cases spanning over 30 years.
Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) warns about lack of monitoring.
The KSA notes that nearly half of all new exclusions come from players under 32, while the 18–24 age group accounts for 16% of new entries. That trend is sparking debate in Tweede Kamer over whether more proactive harm prevention is needed—especially as the regulated iGaming sector continues to grow.
The Great Dutch Gambling Exodus: What’s Driving Operators Away?
“Self-exclusion is a vital tool,” said a KSA spokesperson. “But the numbers also show that we need to keep asking tough questions about player protection and design of gaming environments.”
Operators are now under pressure to enhance real-time monitoring and reinforce compliance with the Wet Kansspelen op afstand (Remote Gambling Act), which governs online betting in the Netherlands.
