Amersfoort hosted an event organised by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) and RIEC Midden-Nederland, bringing together police officers, elected officials, and local stakeholders to address the growing issue of illegal gambling. This initiative recognises that behind illicit activities, there are not only clandestine bets but also organised networks linking illegality to problems such as addiction, money laundering, and crime funding, according to KSA.

The interinstitutional working day: a model of cooperation for the gambling sector

In response to this challenge, the Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) is encouraging cooperation between various organisations. As a result, the Amersfoort event brought together compliance officers, operators, and experts in addition to government and police representatives to exchange experiences and coordinate efforts. RIEC Midden-Nederland played a crucial role, as it is a regional centre coordinating various authorities to combat organised crime in Central Holland, specialising in coordinating actions between local and national authorities.

This practical event included themed workshops with clear objectives: identifying early signs of illegal activities in leisure establishments or businesses, understanding the regulatory scope and role of KSA, analysing the current situation of the legal versus illegal market, and sharing methods for preventing and closing irregular venues. The exchange among professionals was central to accelerating responses and optimising resources, emphasising the benefits of joint learning.

Operational details and gambling sector response

Held at Loods 17, the event stood out for its interactive format and high turnout, reflecting growing interest in the area. More than half the places were filled days before the event, showing the urgency felt by those involved in fighting fraud and illegality in the gambling sector.

KSA also complemented these efforts with intensified actions against illegal advertising, including monitoring media outlets and agencies promoting unregulated operators. The comprehensive strategy includes fines and sanctions for those facilitating or promoting betting outside the valid regulatory framework, aiming to protect market integrity and consumers.

Why workshops and growing interinstitutional collaboration are essential

These workshops are vital for the gambling industry to professionalise and structure its response to a complex and ever-changing phenomenon. This is especially important given the increasing complexity of illegal networks.

Currently, in the Netherlands, there are 10 regional interinstitutional programmes coordinated under the RIEC umbrella, bringing together police, tax authorities, justice, labour inspection, and regulatory bodies for a comprehensive fight against organised crime, which includes illegal gambling. According to RIEC publications, these initiatives have a budget of over €61 million for the 2026 period, reflecting the priority institutions place on this issue.

The realisation that combating illegal gambling requires more than sporadic efforts is reflected in the trend towards more intensive and structured collaboration. The concentration of experience enables rapid and effective responses, reduces administrative duplication, optimises human and financial resources, and ensures a safe and transparent framework for legal operators and users.

This article was first published in Spanish on 20 October 2025.

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