The Netherlands Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has renewed three exclusive licences held by Lotto BV, allowing the state-owned operator to continue offering lottery games, scratch cards and land-based sports betting for another five years.
The new permits will replace Lotto BV’s existing licences when they expire on 31 December 2026. They cover lotto games, instant lotteries such as scratch cards, and retail sports betting.
Lotto BV forms part of Nederlandse Loterij, the Dutch state-owned gambling group. The company operates products including Lotto, Eurojackpot, Lucky Day, Krasloten and retail TOTO betting.
Despite renewing the licences, the KSA has acknowledged that their exclusive status could change during the new five-year period because of an ongoing legal challenge concerning the Dutch monopoly system.
An appeal is currently before the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State over whether the existing monopoly structure can continue under Dutch law. The regulator had initially preferred to wait for the court’s judgment before issuing the next licences, but the approaching expiry date forced it to make a decision earlier.
The KSA said maintaining uninterrupted access to regulated lottery, scratch-card and retail sports-betting products after the end of 2026 was a key consideration. Lotto BV also required sufficient notice to determine whether it could continue operating once its current licences expired.
The renewed permits include additional conditions focused on player protection and preventing minors from participating. Lotto BV must also notify the regulator about proposed changes to its ownership or control structure.
The licences were awarded directly because of Lotto BV’s position as a state-owned company and the Dutch government’s control over the business. However, possible privatisation could trigger another regulatory assessment. If ownership changes during the licence period, the KSA will examine whether the permits can remain in force or need to be withdrawn.
The pending Council of State ruling could also reshape the market. If the court determines that the monopoly system must be opened to competition, Lotto BV could retain its licences while other companies would become eligible to apply for equivalent permits.
Alternatively, if the court decides that licences can no longer be awarded directly to Lotto BV, the existing permits could ultimately be revoked. The KSA said any withdrawal would take place no earlier than one year after the Council of State judgment, giving the regulator sufficient time to establish a transparent licensing procedure.
The decision comes as the Netherlands continues to debate the future role of the state in gambling. Discussions have included potential changes to the ownership of Nederlandse Loterij and the broader structure of state-controlled gambling operations.
Advertising rules are also under political scrutiny. While lotteries have generally occupied a different regulatory position from higher-risk gambling products, proposals have emerged for broader restrictions that could eventually extend to lottery advertising as well.
For now, Lotto BV retains its exclusive position for the three product categories through the next licensing cycle, but both the court proceedings and any future change in state ownership could alter that arrangement before the five-year term is completed.