KSA Renews Lotto BV Monopoly Licences Through 2031

The Kansspelautoriteit has renewed three exclusive Lotto BV gambling licences for five years, even as a Dutch court case could still alter or end the monopoly structure behind them.

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Good to Know

• Lotto BV can continue lottery games, scratch cards and land based sports betting through 2031.
• The current permits expire on December 31, 2026, which led the KSA to act before the Council of State ruling.
• A future court decision could leave the permits intact, open the same categories to rivals or lead to licence withdrawal.

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Lotto BV Gets Five More Years Despite Legal Challenge

The KSA decided against waiting for the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State and granted Lotto BV fresh monopoly licences covering three Dutch gambling categories.

Lotto BV, part of Nederlandse Loterij, retains exclusive rights for lotto products, instant lotteries and land based sports betting. The KSA said the approaching December 31 expiry made an immediate decision necessary because the regulator wanted licensed supply to continue without interruption.

The legal position remains unsettled.

An appeal before the Council of State concerns whether the Netherlands can continue granting a single operator exclusive rights in those product categories. Earlier proceedings arose after the KSA rejected licence applications from JVH because Dutch gambling law allowed only one legal entity to hold the permits, which Lotto BV already held through the end of 2026.

The new licences therefore do not guarantee Lotto BV exclusive control through 2031.

If the Council of State decides that the monopoly must open, the Lotto BV permits can remain active while other companies gain the right to apply. If the court instead rules that direct awards can no longer continue, the KSA said it may withdraw the licences.

Any withdrawal would take effect no earlier than one year after the ruling, giving the regulator time to prepare a transparent licensing process.

New Licence Conditions Cover Ownership And Players

The KSA also attached additional conditions to the three permits.

Lotto BV must report planned changes to its ownership or control structure. A privatization or other material ownership change could lead the KSA to reassess whether the licences can continue.

The regulator also added requirements covering player protection and prevention of participation by minors.

The KSA awarded the licences directly because Lotto BV remains a state participation under Dutch government control. That status therefore remains closely tied to the current licensing model.

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