VNLOK warns Dutch stakeholders on illegal market manipulation
Summary
VNLOK, the trade body for licensed Dutch online gambling operators, has raised the alarm over sophisticated tactics used by illegal gambling providers to appear legitimate. Reports collected through Meld Vals Spel — an illegal gambling reporting initiative launched in November 2024 — show that fake reviews on platforms like Google and Trustpilot, hacked or acquired websites (including former government pages), and misleading advertising are being used to funnel Dutch players to illegal operators.
The initiative has received 238 reports detailing a range of illegal practices. VNLOK says these activities make it very difficult for consumers to distinguish legal from illegal offers and is urging faster enforcement and stronger powers for regulators to block illegal sites and their affiliates. The trade body also links the growth of the illegal market to high taxation and regulatory pressure on legal operators; losses to illegal providers are estimated at €1.2bn in 2025.
Key Points
- VNLOK reports manipulation of online reviews and fake profiles on Google and Trustpilot to make illegal sites look trustworthy.
- Illegal operators are using acquired or hacked sites — even former government pages — and misleading ads to reach players.
- Meld Vals Spel has logged 238 reports; the most common complaints are misleading adverts (30%) and misuse of legitimate providers’ logos/names (20%).
- Estimated €1.2bn will be spent with illegal providers in the Netherlands in 2025; around 200,000 people gamble illegally online.
- VNLOK warns 36% of illegal gamblers are at-risk — about four times the share seen with licensed providers.
- VNLOK calls for stronger regulator powers to immediately block illegal sites and their affiliates and to keep the legal market visible and attractive.
- Industry says tax rises (30.5% → 34.2% in 2025, planned 37.8% in 2026) and extra restrictions may push players towards illegal operators.
Context and Relevance
Illegal-market manipulation threatens consumer safety, harms licensed operators and undermines regulatory aims. The issue sits at the intersection of online-platform trust, cyber-security (hacked/acquired domains), and public policy (tax and regulation). For operators, regulators and policymakers in Europe, the findings underline the need for swift takedown powers, clearer signalling of legal providers, and tackling the root drivers that push players to illegal sites — notably affordability and accessibility of the regulated market.
Why should I read this?
Because it’s messy and it matters. If you work in regulation, compliance, affiliate marketing or run a licensed site, this piece tells you exactly how bad actors are tricking players and what’s at stake — lots of lost revenue and a real player-safety problem. Short version: fake reviews and hacked sites are driving people to unsafe gambling — and the legal market’s tax burden isn’t helping.
Author style
Punchy. The story is flagged as highly relevant: it’s a clear warning to industry and politicians that current measures aren’t stopping sophisticated illegal activity — read the detail if you care about player protection and market integrity.
Source
Source: https://igamingexpert.com/regions/europe/dutch-illegal-market-activity/