Dutch Trade Body Takes Meta to Court Over Illegal Gambling Ads

Dutch gambling trade association VNLOK says it will take Meta to court in Amsterdam and file a complaint with the European Commission over alleged illegal gambling advertising on Facebook and Instagram.

The case concerns the Netherlands’ channelisation policy, which is designed to keep players within the licensed market. VNLOK argues that Meta’s platforms are giving unlicensed operators access to Dutch consumers through paid advertising.

According to VNLOK, research by Meld Vals Spel found more than 70,000 gambling advertisements on Meta platforms in the fourth quarter of 2025. The trade body said more than 95% of those ads promoted operators without a Dutch licence.

VNLOK claims Meta has failed to prevent large-scale illegal gambling promotion and continues to generate revenue from the ads. It also argues that Meta’s current controls rely too much on users and third parties reporting individual advertisements after publication.

VNLOK chairman Björn Fuchs said:

unlicensed operators do not follow Dutch rules on addiction prevention and consumer protection.

The association also warned that the ads may expose vulnerable consumers, including minors and people with gambling problems, to operators outside Dutch supervision.

The trade body said it will ask the Amsterdam court to rule that Meta has breached obligations under the EU Digital Services Act. It also plans to submit a complaint to the European Commission, which has enforcement powers over very large online platforms under the DSA.

The Digital Services Act places additional duties on very large online platforms, including rules on illegal content, advertising transparency and systemic risk. Facebook and Instagram are designated under that regime.

VNLOK has framed the issue as a risk to the Dutch regulated market. Licensed operators are subject to advertising limits, duty-of-care requirements and supervision by the Kansspelautoriteit, and the association says illegal promotion on major platforms weakens that framework.

Meta has not been found liable in relation to VNLOK’s allegations. The case now moves into a legal and regulatory process involving Meta, VNLOK and EU platform rules.