KSA Imposes Fines on Polymarket for Unauthorized Gambling Activities

Introduction to the KSA’s Action Against Polymarket

The Dutch Gambling Authority, known as Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has taken regulatory action against Polymarket, a growing prediction market platform. The authority considers the platform’s services as unauthorized gambling within the Netherlands and has penalized the operator for non-compliance with local gaming laws.

Polymarket’s Regulatory Challenges in the Netherlands

Polymarket, operated by Adventure One, has attracted significant attention for offering games of chance to players in the Netherlands without holding a required Dutch gaming license. Despite its rising popularity, particularly for contracts related to political events like Dutch elections, Polymarket’s presence on the Dutch market remains unlicensed and therefore illegal according to KSA guidelines.

The platform does not categorize its products as gambling, but the Dutch regulatory framework disagrees, classifying these prediction markets as prohibited gambling services.

Legal Restrictions and Enforcement Measures

The KSA previously instructed Polymarket to cease operations and stop accepting money from Dutch players. However, Polymarket did not remove its offerings nor restrict access, leading to continued availability of its platform to Dutch users.

Due to this non-compliance, KSA imposed a weekly penalty fine of 420,000 euros on Polymarket, capped at a maximum of 840,000 euros. Furthermore, the authority has indicated the possibility of additional fines based on the company’s revenue from the Dutch market.

Comments from KSA Leadership

Ella Seijsener, KSA’s director for permits and supervision, recognized the surge in popularity of prediction markets globally and their particular appeal in the United States. Nonetheless, she stressed that such platforms are not permitted under Dutch law, and that even licensed operators cannot legally offer these types of betting products.

“Beyond the societal risks such as potential election influence, this is unlawful gambling. Entities without a KSA license have no place in the Dutch market, including these new gambling platforms,” stated Seijsener.

Additional Developments at the KSA

In a separate organizational update, the KSA has appointed Carol Verheij as vice chair of its board of directors, signaling ongoing leadership changes ahead of a planned regulatory overhaul in 2026.