Dutch sports betting market at Glance

We have designed a detailed infographic for the dutch gambling market.

What are the top NL betting sites?

Top Netherlands betting sites, up close:

Now, with the top betting sites in the Netherlands listed out, let's take a closer look at them, too:

Cycling

Cycling is not only a means of transportation for Dutch people. It is also a very exciting sport to participate in! There are thousands of professional and amateur athletes which compete with one another in various events in the country. The Netherlands has over 40 different cycling teams! They regularly take place in events like the Tour de France, or other games organized by the European Cycling Union. So, betting on them is not only very popular: It is also possible on a large range of domestic and international events alike.

Volleyball

Another local favorite is Volleyball. Since Dutch people are on average the tallest in the European Union, there are plenty of professional athletes from the Netherlands, who take part in world-class competitions. The highest level of Volleyball events were organized by the FIVB league until 2018. Nowadays, there is the Volleyball Nations League. Speaking of national leagues, there is a Dutch volleyball league in which ten national teams compete each year.

Football

It is estimated that over a million Dutch people play Football. The sport is, without any doubt, the most popular in the Netherlands. There are also many Football leagues in the country. It features two professional ones: the Eredivisie and the Eerste Divisie. There are three amateur football leagues on the national level, and as many as five regional ones. Dutch players love betting on international games, too: FIFA events, as well as Premier League, UEFA, Bundesliga and so on, football matches are very popular.

Browse all football betting sites

Field Hockey

Field hockey is not much different from Ice hockey. In fact, the ruleset is pretty much the same. The only major difference is that it is played on a grassy field instead of an ice rink. The field version of the sport is a bit more popular in the Netherlands. The top domestic field hockey division is called Tulp Hoofdklasse Men. The biggest international Field hockey competition is the Men's Field Hockey World Cup, and it is also a sport in the Olympic games.

Tennis

Dutch fans of Tennis can probably list over 20 of their countrymen who compete at the highest level, in the games hosted by the ITF, ATP, as well as the WTP. These are the three main Tennis leagues, and thousands of people from the Netherlands prefer betting and playing this sport in particular. There are reportedly 1700 + Tennis clubs in the country! The Royal Dutch Lawn Tennis Association, the domestic league, was also one of the founding members of the ITF in 1913. So it's safe to say this sport has a long history in the Netherlands.

Browse all tennis betting sites

Golf

Last but not least, Golf is a very popular pastime in the Netherlands. Some of the world's most famous golf courses are there. And Dutch people make very good use of them, too! The number of local golf clubs is as high as 279. The Netherlands is also a member of the European Golf Association. Even though this body has members from 49 different countries, it is headed by a Dutch president, at least at the time of writing, which is a testament to the Dutch taking the sport very seriously!

What payment methods do Dutch bettors use most frequently?

There is an overwhelming range of payment methods which you can use with online merchants in the Netherlands. And among them are betting sites. Normally, these sites offer 10+ means of cashing in. It is very easy to feel overwhelmed because of this incredible variety! So, let's examine a couple of them, and see what their advantages and downsides are:

iDeal

iDeal is a unique payment method. It is an Open banking solution, which lets you deposit directly from your bank account, to that of the betting site. Most Dutch banks are a part of the iDeal network at this point. So, as long as you have an account with the bank, and the betting site has one, too, you can use iDeal with it.
The advantages of iDeal are that it facilitates instant deposits which are free for the user. On the other hand, there's no way to cash out using iDeal. You will have to use an alternate means of withdrawal, in order to do so. Most commonly, that will be a bank transfer, though it's possible you might be able to cash out via an e-wallet, too. Another downside of iDeal is that it is not really as widely accepted as some of the other Dutch payment methods we will take a look at further down below.

Klarna

The next Dutch-favored payment method in our list is called Klarna. This is an online payments solution that is meant to serve as an alternative to credit cards. It lets you transact online and spread the price of the transaction over monthly installments. More relevant for wagering in Dutch betting sites is the fact that Klarna deposits are instant.

On the other hand, Klarna transfers can have service fees which you will need to pay. And while deposits are instant, you will have to use another means of cashing out. Once again, that is usually bank transfers.

Credit Cards

Credit card payments (Visa/Mastercard) are king in the majority of the world, and make up for the majority of transactions. However, in the Netherlands, they have been surpassed by iDeal when it comes to online commerce. iDeal reportedly made up for over 70% of the domestic volume of transactions in 2023. And yet, it is far more common to find betting sites accepting credit cards instead of iDeal. Deposits via credit cards are convenient for the bettor, too.

They can usually be performed within seconds, and carry very little fees, if any. Withdrawals are also possible to credit cards, though most betting sites prefer to cash you out via a bank transfer. So that is the main downside of the payment method: It is occasionally unavailable for withdrawals.

• Betting sites with Visa
• Betting sites with Mastercard

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards, also known as e-vouchers have revolutionized online payments. These vouchers can be purchased online, or even from a physical store. Each has a specific value, usually between €10 and €100, and a unique code. You can deposit using this code, which means that all of your sensitive banking info is safe in the case of a data leak. A potential hacker can only obtain the unique code of the card, which will probably be empty at this point.

Deposits with prepaid cards are free, because the charges by the issuer of the card are handled by the recipient of your money. That means the betting site will have to cover them. On the other hand, since these vouchers are only usable to deposit, you cannot withdraw to them. Another payment method would be necessary to cash out instead.

But even so, pre-paid vouchers are very popular in the Netherlands. The most popular options for Dutch players are Paysafecard, Jeton and Neosurf, though there are quite a bit more vouchers to pick from.

Crypto

Next, we have crypto, a fairly unique means of deposit and withdrawal from betting sites. Cryptocurrency transactions are highly anonymous, and can be performed quite fast. They also facilitate withdrawals within a couple of minutes, which makes them faster than bank transfers and a couple of other FIAT payment methods.

However, the issues with crypto come from its higher degree of complexity. If you want to use it, you will need to learn how, which can be a bit difficult. Also, every transaction has miner fees to it. What does that mean? Well, crypto miners are what the people who process your transaction are called. They collect fees as a reward for doing so. Miner fees are quite unpredictable, and tend to be higher in higher activity periods.

We recommend Dutch bettors who are interested in learning more about crypto take the time to do so before depositing.

Find all Bitcoin betting sites

MuchBetter, other e-wallets

Finally, e-wallets are a staple of depositing and withdrawing to and from Dutch betting websites. The e-wallet which seems to be the most widely accepted by said sites is MuchBetter. But there are many popular alternatives: PayZ, Neteller and Skrill, Jeton and MiFinity and so on.

Why are e-wallets so popular? Well, they let you set up an account and top it up. Then, you deposit to betting sites via this account. So, effectively, they add a layer of anonymity and safety to each transaction. That said, there are fees for pretty much any step while cashing in. The fees are the main issue with e-wallets, but they are quite reasonable for the high quality of the services on hand. So, it's no wonder they are a favorite of Dutch bettors and betting sites alike!

The top four Dutch bookmakers, compared:

The steps above will ensure that you have a good and reliable bookmaker at hand. But how can you know that it is competitive? Well, let's take a look at a short comparison between the top 4 bookies in the Netherlands. Compare the one you find against them via the relevant points we have listed, or simply find the one you like the most among these three leading betting sites:

The legality of betting sites in the Netherlands

Online betting is regulated in the Netherlands. The most recent piece of legislation about it came in 2021, via the Remote Gambling Act. According to it, if betting sites wish to operate in the country, they need to obtain a license from a special regulatory body. The name of this body is the Kansspelautoriteit (often abbreviated to KSA), and it has a couple of controversial policies.

For instance, there is a restriction on what kinds of events are available for betting. Notably, you cannot wager on the outcomes of political events. Certain wager types, like spread betting are not available either.

This means that Dutch players looking for them will have to play in a casino licensed outside of the Netherlands. That is not illegal, and you cannot face any consequences for doing so. But it does mean that you will need to be a bit more vigilant and research the website a bit more before deciding to play there.

The choice of whether you play with a KSA-licensed bookie or another one depends on what you expect from your betting experience. For a higher level of regulation and protections, you might want to stick to domestic betting sites. For more unusual betting action on TV shows and political events, you might want to check out an international bookie instead.

Taxes and Other Considerations for Dutch Bettors Using Foreign Sportsbooks

Now that you understand the legal landscape in the Netherlands, there are some things you need to be aware of, among them taxation. While there is a set procedure on how the government receives tax from betting wins on domestic platforms, this is not the same for international sites.

Essentially, wins from an offshore betting site not licensed by the KSA are taxable. You are required to declare these winnings as part of your income and pay the required income tax.

Additionally, playing at an offshore site comes with increased risk. Since these platforms operate outside KSA jurisdiction, they may not offer the same consumer protections. They may also lack proper dispute-resolution measures.

However, on the bright side, playing on international betting platforms allows you to wager on locally limited events like politics and get access to more diverse markets. To be safe, make sure you verify the reputation and licensing status of the betting site you choose.

Betting predictions in the Netherlands: Reliable or a hoax?

Every bet you place is a prediction for how a game will shake out. But there are also people who have dedicated themselves to providing Dutch players with predictions for upcoming games. Some do it for fun, while others require you to pay to access their betting tips. Should you trust them, and how accurate are they?

Well, that is a pretty difficult question to give a broad answer to. It is true, though, that sports betting does lend itself to prediction, and that there are people with impressive track records when it comes to betting predictions. That is because they do a lot of research, on the players, the teams and so on. But it is also important to recognize that betting always involves an element of chance. No matter how much work is put into it, the prediction could always come to be untrue.

So, where does that leave us on betting predictions? Well, if you feel like you can trust the author of a specific prediction, since you know them personally, or they have an impressive track record, feel free to do so. Personally, we would still take them with a grain of salt, though, because of the random element we mentioned.

But beware of anonymous tips online, or ones which lack proper argumentation and research. Do not trust them, since they are not really any better than taking a guess. There's just no need to pay for random guesses!

What are betting offers and are there any in Dutch betting sites?

Betting offers are special promotions which sites use to attract new players, or to even reward returning ones. It will probably come as no surprise that a lot of Dutch players love them. If you are one of them, or if you are just curious about what betting offers look like, the next two sections are dedicated to you:

Dutch betting sites and free bets

Betting sites often provide their players with Free bets. Those are vouchers with a specific value. You can use the voucher to wager, and winning will net you the same amount as if you wagered your own money. However, if you happen to lose the bet, it will be settled from the voucher instead of your balance.

A Free bet is essentially a risk-free bet! Dutch betting sites offer them quite often, too. Usually, they are part of a welcome offer, but there are also plenty of ways to get free bet vouchers afterwards, too. Usually, the size of the vouchers, respectively, the bets you can place, are around 100 euro at most and start from 10 or 20 euro.

Other betting offers by bookies in the Netherlands

Here are a couple more types of betting offers which Dutch players can generally expect to find:

• Deposit bonuses: The most common kind of betting offer, aside from free bets, is the deposit match bonuses. For instance, a 50% deposit match bonus will add 50% of the funds you cash in as an exclusive bonus to play with. These are available as part of welcome bonuses or recurring promotions in most Dutch betting sites.
• Special sportsbook features: Special features like early cash outs or refunds for games that end in a 0-0 draw can help you elevate your play to the next level!
• VIP bonuses: The VIP bonuses you can find with bookies in the Netherlands are a reward for bettors who keep coming back. The more you wager, the higher these bonuses get. They can be any of the other types, and are usually exclusive to the biggest high-rollers on the betting platform.
• Cashbacks: Cashbacks are an exciting way to recover some of your losses from betting. A weekly cashback of 10%, for instance, will mean that you can recover 10% of your losses throughout the week, and such bonuses are usually active once every seven days.

Please note that all of these betting offers come with their own Terms and Conditions. Those can impact the way in which you can wager, by placing certain restrictions on it. We recommend getting familiar with the Terms before accepting any betting offer!

How to play safe in Dutch betting sites

Sports betting is risky because you can win or lose. However, there are a few things that Dutch players can do to improve their chances of success. Below are some of them

• Back lower odds: Lower odds generally yield small wins, but they are usually safer and are more likely to be successful. Betting on higher odds usually leads to long-term losses.
• Choose licensed bookies with a great reputation: Always read player reviews to understand whether a betting site is reputable, and also inspect their license to prove its validity.
• Never chase losses: View betting as a pastime, not a means of making money. Always be realistic and avoid being emotional when you incur losses.
• Bet on events you understand: As a player, you need to do some due diligence on the event sport or markets you're wagering on. Having some background information allows you to make smart betting decisions.
• Stay secure: Don't use unsafe payment options or public Wi-Fi when betting. Also, read the terms and conditions to be aware of any hiccups that may spoil the experience.

Message from the author

While examining the betting sites I have listed so far, it really stood out to me how diverse they were. Not only in terms of what games they offered, but also their regulation and payment methods. And while that was initially overwhelming to me, I eventually came around and saw it as a great feature of the Netherlands online betting scene. The more diverse it is, the more likely it is that you will find the right fit for your own needs.
I certainly hope that is the case, and that I've managed to highlight your next favorite betting site!

Where can Dutch bettors get help with gambling addiction?

There is always a way to get help if you are struggling with gambling addiction. As far as the Netherlands is concerned, please remember that you have access to the following resources:

• Responsible gambling attitudes: Adopting responsible gambling habits like not using borrowed money to gamble can be difficult, but it is the best way to tackle gambling addiction and prevent it from worsening. You can find information about what these habits look like, and how you can adopt it via each licensed site, be it by the KSA or any other regulator!
• Self-exclusion: Another important feature of licensed bookies is self-exclusion. This can help you reduce your exposure to the betting sites by setting certain limits. For instance, KSA licensed websites are required to take part in the CRUKS. This is an online register of persons who have self-excluded. So, if you have set up a measure like a custom deposit limit with one of the CRUKS members, you cannot cash in over that limit in any other. CRUKS members also don't let you open accounts if you have enabled a time-out period or closed an account with another member. While other licensed casinos not on the CRUKS cannot offer you as high of a level of self-exclusion, you can still expect to be able to set custom limits on deposits and close down your account, if you need to do so.
  Read more: Betting sites without Cruks.
• Helplines: The Dutch government maintains a 24/7 emergency line which you can access by dialing 113. You can call it for free and receive help. It is also not limited to gambling addiction issues, and you can call if you need any kind of support, too!

The bottom line

Overall, the Netherlands online betting sector is a unique and vibrant place, with plenty of choice for new and seasoned bettors alike. We hope that the exhaustive look into it was interesting, and that it managed to prove informative about what online betting in the country is like in general! If you wish to learn more about Dutch bookies, their betting offers and conditions, though, do not hesitate to check out the rest of our website as well!