The Dutch Gaming Authority (Ksa) is directing all licensed online gambling operators to immediately discontinue the “Share Your Bet” function, following an investigation triggered by multiple signals and inquiries from the market.
What the feature does
“Share Your Bet” allows players to distribute their placed wagers through social media or messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, or email. After placing a bet, a player can send a link to friends or family, who can then view the wager and—if they hold an account—replicate it with a single click. The Ksa notes that this effectively turns gambling into a shareable social activity.
Regulatory concerns
According to the Ksa, the feature constitutes a form of advertising and recruitment, even if the promotion is carried out by players rather than operators. Under the Decree on Recruitment, Advertising, and Addiction Prevention in Gambling, operators must ensure that marketing does not reach vulnerable groups, including:
- Minors
- Young adults
- Individuals with gambling problems
Because operators cannot control who receives shared bet links, they cannot guarantee that vulnerable individuals are shielded from exposure. As a result, the Ksa considers the feature non‑compliant.
The regulator also warns that the ease of sharing bets contributes to the normalization of gambling, lowering barriers to participation—particularly among younger audiences.
Ksa’s directive
The Ksa is calling on all operators offering “Share Your Bet” or similar functionalities to cease doing so immediately. The authority will continue monitoring the market and is prepared to take enforcement action if operators fail to comply or if new variants of the feature emerge.
