Hard Rock Casino NL secures Dutch sports betting approval from the KSA

SpinCore Group, the Malta-headquartered company behind the Hard Rock Casino brand, has announced that it received regulatory approval to offer sports betting in the Netherlands. The company disclosed the news on LinkedIn. The approval comes from the Dutch gambling authority, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).

The permission was granted to iCasion BV, the locally registered company that operates the Hard Rock Casino NL domain. It has been effective since 12 September. In its statement, SpinCore described the development as another chapter for Hard Rock Casino Netherlands and a step toward a more complete online gaming offer, crediting hard work and teamwork behind the achievement.

The source notes that Hard Rock Casino is a platform focused purely on the Netherlands. Neither it nor SpinCore Group has any association with the Hard Rock Digital international betting and gaming brand, which is run by the Hard Rock International conglomerate.

The approval adds another betting company to an already crowded Dutch market. It follows the regulator's recent approval of renewals for operator licences held since 2021. In early September, the KSA approved licences held by TOTO Online, Holland Casino, Play North, FairPlay Casino, Bingoal, bet365, BetCity and GG Poker.

The regulated market faces several challenges. Channelisation to offshore betting firms is a major concern, with 2025 estimates putting the channelisation rate at 49%. VNLOK, the largest trade body for regulated Dutch betting firms, has taken legal action by summoning Meta to court over illegal gambling advertising on its platforms.

Advertising is another pressure point, as policymakers are moving to introduce a full ban on gambling advertising, which could make it harder for Hard Rock Casino to promote its new product. Operators and VNLOK also argue that the 38.7% tax rate on gross gaming revenue puts the regulated sector at a significant disadvantage compared with unregulated competitors.