Dutch gambling trade body VNLOK has filed a lawsuit against Meta in an Amsterdam court over the volume of illegal gambling advertising reaching users in the Netherlands through Facebook and Instagram.
In June, VNLOK submitted a complaint to the European Commission backed by research into ad content on Meta's platforms. The data showed over 90% of gambling ads analysed on Facebook were from unlicensed operators. Meta removed only 11% of prohibited content in May and 15% in June. After negotiations with the company produced no result, VNLOK escalated to court action.
"We have repeatedly pointed out the scale of the problem to Meta and asked for systemic work on a solution. The results are insufficient, so we are taking the case to the Dutch courts," said VNLOK chairman Björn Fuchs.
On 29 September, the lower house of parliament is scheduled to vote on a bill proposed by MP Bart Bikkers. The legislation would expand the powers of regulator Kansspelautoriteit to issue fines and sanctions against any party distributing illegal gambling advertising, including corporations such as Meta and Google.
Fuchs noted that the regulator has already sent multiple notices to the platforms, but the volume of illegal ads remains high. "It is time to move to the next step and hold those who help illegal offers reach Dutch users more strictly accountable," he said.
Separately, the Netherlands is debating a full ban on gambling advertising, including the licensed market.
