VNLOK Sues Meta Over Illegal Gambling Ads in Netherlands

Dutch gambling trade association VNLOK has launched legal proceedings against Meta, alleging that its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, are enabling illegal gambling advertisements to reach customers in the Netherlands.

VNLOK said its findings showed that 90% of gambling advertisements on Facebook originated from unlicensed gambling operators. The association also reported that Meta removed only 11% of the illegal advertisements flagged in May, followed by 15% of those reported in June.

The association began its legal action against Meta at the end of June, while also submitting a complaint to the European Commission.

VNLOK chairman Fuchs said the organisation had repeatedly raised concerns with Meta and sought a more coordinated response to the issue.

We have repeatedly pointed out the scale of the problem to Meta and asked them to cooperate structurally in finding a solution. That has yielded insufficient results.

VNLOK further reported that more than 70,000 gambling advertisements were shown across Meta’s platforms during the final quarter of the year. According to the association, almost 95% of those advertisements were linked to illegal gambling operators, while Meta removed less than 5% of the reported advertisements.

Separately, OPIA has announced that the Dutch parliament is expected to pass legislation granting the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) authority to fine major digital companies, including Google and Meta, when they disregard repeated warnings concerning their advertisements.