Best Netherlands Betting Sites

Online sports betting is popular in the Netherlands and an increasing number of international betting sites offer player registration for bettors located in the Netherlands. Across Europe and the EU, laws & regulations around online sports betting differ significantly between countries.

Many of the biggest betting sites accept registrations from Dutch players.

Many (but not all) of the major online betting sites can be accessed in the Netherlands and accept Dutch player registrations. However, in 2019 the legal landscape is constantly evolving with the Dutch government passing a bill which prepares for a license system come 2021. A number of online bookmakers have already made it clear they will apply for a license when the application process starts in July of 2020.

Here at Bookiesbonuses.com we do the research on the betting sites available in the Netherlands, and let you make smart choices about who to bet with.

Dutch players have a huge variety of options to choose from when selecting a betting site. Many of the biggest betting sites accept registrations from Dutch players and offer them sportsbook markets in a number of sports – from football to field hockey.

Dutch players are known for enjoying placing a bet on football and field hockey, which both have massive followings in the country.

From fear of not getting a license in 2020, many operators have chosen not to target Dutch players for the time being. However, many bookmakers still do accept players from the Netherlands, and although frowned upon, Dutch players are still to face any legal consequences from betting with foreign operators.

In other, similar markets, such as Norway, authorities have tried to restrict the populations betting at foreign betting sites by forbidding banks to transfer funds between players and betting sites. This was also tried in the Netherlands, but with little success, as banks deemed the process not forceable.

Which is the best betting site for Dutch players?

There are of course several factors that play a role in determining the best betting sites in the Netherlands. However, there are also basic requirements that must be met in order for the other factors to even play a role.

Does the betting site accept Dutch players?

The first and most basic requirements. Unless the bookmaker does accept players from the Netherlands, it is not important in this context.

Does the bookmaker have a good reputation?

For some, this might not be a required factor. However, we have been a part of this business for a long time, and can reassure you that it is. All power lies with the bookmakers, per their terms and conditions.

And unless the bookie has got a reputation to protect, it can easily turn into a problem whenever there is a problem that needs to be solved.

Does the betting site offer good payment methods and the euro?

Not a completely required factor, but almost. The security of a good payment method in euro, combined with the reputation, should be considered vital factors.

In relation to these requirements, there are of course “bonus” factors to consider, such as special features, design or a good welcome offer.

In our rankings, we only list bookies that meet the basic requirements, so you can be sure to choose only reputable bookmakers as long as you find them on our site.

There's an English saying that "the best things in life are free". Well, the online bookmakers love giving out free bets to new Dutch players!

The free bet sign-up offer is a very common and generous offer that you can find on the online betting sites today. Together with other kinds of offers used to attract new customers, the bookies use free bet sign-up offers to get you to sign-up for an account and be one of their players.

Smart players can often make a tidy profit from free bets.

‘Free Bets’ is a term used in different ways by different bookies. A smart player will always investigate what a bookie means when it uses the term ‘free bet’. They tend to come with conditions attached, and if you win you usually aren't allowed to keep the stake of the free bet. Still, smart players can often make a tidy profit from free bets.

You should keep in mind a few things when checking out free bet offers from various online betting sites:

Deposit bonus

Although the most well known, free bets are only one kind of the many different sign up offers available. In the United Kingdom, free bets dominate the market, but in the rest of Europe, deposit bonuses are more common.

A deposit bonus is a bonus where the amount depends on your first deposit. Normally, the bonus is 100% of your first deposit, up to a certain amount. For example 100% bonus up to €50. This means that if you deposit €30, you get €30, if you deposit €40, you get €40, and so forth.

A bonus of this kind is not immediately withdrawable of course. Instead, it comes with strings attached, called turnover requirements. These requirements describes how many times the bonus needs to be played-through before being withdrawable.

Normally that number is between 5-20x the bonus amount.

There is no better or worse offer when comparing free bets and deposit bonuses. It all depends on the specific offer and the players preference.

The Netherlands Gaming Control Board was formed in 1966 with the purpose of regulating gambling in the country. The government wanted to be able to control all sorts of gambling and betting but faced a bit of a hurdle when the online sports betting market began to explode and Dutch punters started to use international bookmakers.

it looks likely that regulations will be changed as soon as 2021

The Dutch state wants to keep profits 'in-house', and has authorised De Lotto - the state monopoly company - to operate the sports betting industry within the Netherlands. There is an ongoing debate about modifying these laws in the Netherlands and it looks likely that regulations will be changed as soon as 2021, which would make it possible for more operators to offer betting services.

In February of 2019, the Dutch senate passed the “Remote gambling act”, which means that a licensing system is assumed to be in place by 2021. The plan is to start issuing licenses from mid-2020, with strict requirements for getting one for the online betting sites applying.

Big interest in licenses

Many operators have expressed an interest in a Dutch license, including market leadings betting sites. However, for some, it might be hard to come by a license. Dutch authorities have earlier stated that operators that previously have targeted Dutch players won’t be given licenses. For example, giants Unibet and Bwin were fined for serving Dutch customers during 2019.

However, Dutch players can still access a number of international betting sites.