Dutch rules on offshore betting
By Lotte van Leeuwen · Regulation and Player Safety Writer
Dutch rules on offshore betting
Betting with offshore operators is not a legal grey area in the Netherlands: the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) licenses and supervises online gambling in the country, and only operators holding a Dutch licence may legally offer their services to players in the Netherlands. Offshore platforms such as Stake, Cloudbet, Dexsport, and Thunderpick operate under licences from other jurisdictions and do not hold a Ksa permit.
What the Dutch regulator actually restricts
The Ksa enforces the Wet Kansspelen op afstand (Koa), the Remote Gambling Act that has governed online betting in the Netherlands since 2021. Under this law, an operator must have a Dutch licence to target Dutch players through advertising, Dutch-language interfaces, or payment methods commonly used in the Netherlands. Offshore bookmakers are not part of this system, and Dutch banks may block payments to them when instructed by the regulator.
For players, the practical issue is not that placing a bet is criminalised, but that consumer protections do not apply. A dispute with a Curacao-licensed platform cannot be brought to the Ksa, and Dutch payment providers are not obliged to process transactions with unlicensed operators.
Anonymous betting sites and KYC
The term anonymous betting sites usually refers to platforms that allow entry without identity verification. Dexsport is one example: it requires no KYC and lets users connect through Web3 wallets. It supports 85+ coins across 20+ blockchains and operates under an Anjouan licence through Dexapp LTD.
Cloudbet applies a partial approach: checks are made only when the platform considers them necessary. It holds a Curacao Gaming Authority licence under number OGL/2024/328/0599, supports 30+ coins, and covers five sports — football, basketball, tennis, MMA, and esports.
Stake, by contrast, is not an anonymous option for Dutch users. Level 2 verification is mandatory before any withdrawal, which means identity checks happen before money can leave the account. Stake holds a Curacao Gaming Authority licence, OGL/2024/1451/0918, issued to Medium Rare N.V., and covers 30 sports including football, basketball, tennis, baseball, hockey, and esports. Withdrawals take 0–2 days after approval, and the platform supports 21 coins.
Crypto bookmakers without a Dutch licence
A crypto bookmaker may feel separate from the Dutch system because it settles bets in digital assets rather than euros. That separation is mostly practical, not legal. The Ksa does not distinguish between fiat and crypto for licensing purposes: an operator targeting Dutch players still needs a Ksa permit, regardless of the currency used.
Thunderpick illustrates the difference between crypto-native operations and Dutch requirements. It holds a Curacao licence and has operated since 2017. It supports five coins — BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, XRP and more — and withdrawals are instant. Its sports coverage is limited: three categories, with an esports focus and limited traditional sports.
Ready to place a bet? The platform at the top of this table is the one that scored highest on the criteria above — check its terms before you deposit anything.
See Dexsport's marketsWhat this means for a player in the Netherlands
A Dutch resident using an offshore no KYC betting site steps outside the protections of the Koa. Winnings are not guaranteed by any Dutch authority, responsible gambling tools are not audited locally, and self-exclusion registers such as Cruks do not apply to offshore operators.
The table below summarises the relevant differences between the platforms mentioned.
| Platform | KYC requirement | Licence | Sports covered | Withdrawal time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | Yes, level 2 before withdrawal | Curacao Gaming Authority, OGL/2024/1451/0918 | 30 | 0–2 days after approval |
| Cloudbet | Partial, only when required | Curacao Gaming Authority, OGL/2024/328/0599 | 5 | Not stated in facts |
| Dexsport | No, Web3 wallet entry | Anjouan licence, Dexapp LTD | Not stated in facts | Not stated in facts |
| Thunderpick | Not stated in facts | Curacao licence, operating since 2017 | 3, esports focused | Instant |
The choice to use an offshore platform is a personal one, but it is not the same as betting with a Ksa-licensed operator. The legal status, the payment routes, and the protections available to a player in the Netherlands are all different.
Things people ask us
Does a Dutch resident get any Ksa protection when using an offshore platform like Stake, Cloudbet, Dexsport, or Thunderpick?
No. These platforms operate under Curacao or Anjouan licences, not a Ksa permit, so consumer protections under the Koa do not apply. A dispute cannot be brought to the Ksa, and Dutch payment providers are not obliged to process transactions with them.
What is the minimum legal age for gambling in the Netherlands?
The minimum legal age for gambling is 18, as stated by the Kansspelautoriteit.
Does the Ksa treat crypto betting differently from fiat betting for licensing purposes?
No. The Ksa does not distinguish between fiat and crypto for licensing purposes. An operator targeting Dutch players still needs a Ksa permit, regardless of the currency used.
What happens to Cruks self-exclusion when a Dutch player uses an offshore operator?
Self-exclusion registers such as Cruks do not apply to offshore operators. Registering with Cruks blocks access to licensed Dutch operators only.
Which platform in the comparison has the smallest sports coverage?
Thunderpick has the smallest documented sports coverage, with three categories and an esports focus with limited traditional sports.