Dutch trade association VNLOK has summoned Meta to court in Amsterdam over the platform's failure to block illegal gambling ads targeting Dutch users through Facebook and Instagram.
VNLOK is demanding that Meta be held to account under the EU Digital Services Act and forced to improve its moderation practices. The association first threatened legal action in June after Meta failed to stem the flow of unlicensed operator ads.
VNLOK research found that 90% of gambling ads on Facebook come from unlicensed operators. In May, Meta removed 11% of such ads; in June, 15%. VNLOK chair Bjorn Fuchs said the association had repeatedly flagged the scale of the problem and asked for cooperation. "The results are insufficient, so we are taking the matter to court."
The Dutch House of Representatives votes on 29 September on a bill that would give regulator KSA the power to fine platforms for inadequate enforcement against illegal gambling ads. The bill, introduced by Christian Union leader Mirjam Bikker, proposes fines of up to 100% of an operator's annual turnover.
VNLOK supports the bill but argues that Meta's violations are already clear under existing law. Fuchs said the regulator already has the legal tools and should use them more aggressively. The lawsuit is intended as a signal to other platforms and pressure on legislators. Fuchs noted that when an unlicensed operator is removed from one platform, it reappears on another. "We are constantly playing catch-up. All participants in the chain must take responsibility."
