Ksa Warns Sports Betting Licensees on Permitted Bet Types

The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) has issued a formal reminder to sports betting licence holders in the Netherlands, clarifying the boundaries of what they are permitted to offer under their licences. Supervisory checks revealed that several operators had been offering markets that fall outside the licensed category of sports betting.

What Triggered the WarningAmong the non-compliant markets identified were bets on award ceremonies, including Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. The Ksa contacted the operators involved, and the offending markets were promptly removed. No fines have been announced at this stage.

What the Rules Actually AllowUnder the Besluit kansspelen op afstand (Remote Gambling Decree), sports betting licensees may only offer wagers on:

Events occurring during a sporting matchThe outcome of a sporting matchThe sport in question must also take place within organised sport recognised by NOC*NSF or a comparable international sports organisation.

The following are explicitly not permitted:

Award elections decided by a jury or panel (e.g. MVP, Player of the Year)Political electionsPlayer transfer marketsOperator Responsibility Extends to Third-Party PlatformsThe Ksa stressed that licensees remain fully responsible for their product offering even when using external sportsbook platforms or third-party providers. Operators cannot delegate compliance responsibility to a B2B supplier.

The regulator expects licensees to conduct continuous product reviews and to intervene immediately if any non-permitted markets appear. The Ksa confirmed it will continue monitoring operator offerings for compliance.