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Dutch Gambling Authority Proposes Global Enforcement Network for Illegal Operators
The head of the Dutch Gambling Authority, Michel Groothuizen, believes the fight against illegal gambling can’t be won alone. During IAGR 2025, he proposed creating an international enforcement task-force to unify regulators worldwide in tackling the booming black-market industry.
Facing the Underground Gambling Sector
Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) chair Michel Groothuizen made clear that the regulated Dutch market’s achievement — 90% player participation in legal sites — conceals a deeper problem: a shrinking gross gaming revenue share. The illegal offshore industry remains agile and largely unchecked.
The Limitations of National-Only Strategies
Groothuizen admitted the Dutch model hit a wall when regulators shied away from blocking unlicensed websites via IP bans, in deference to internet freedom. That decision, while principled, has contributed to a regulatory disadvantage in dealing with tech-enabled, domain-hopping black-market operators.
Towards Cross-Border Enforcement
To tackle the issue, Groothuizen floated the idea of establishing an enforcement network akin to INTERPOL — one that would facilitate intelligence-sharing, collective action and collaboration with tech platforms and financial services. He insisted the approach should begin in Europe, and then evolve into a worldwide structure.
A Blueprint for Unified Oversight and Global Enforcement
The future of gambling regulation, as Groothuizen sees it, demands international unity. While domestic frameworks remain essential, the next frontier is in shared oversight and coordinated enforcement. The proposal for a “gambling Interpol” may be ambitious, but it could provide a blueprint for how regulators respond to a globalised illegal market.
