Google Excludes Illegal Online Casinos from Search Results in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the search engine Google conducted a “clean-up” of its search results, removing illegal online casinos from popular queries such as online casino and online gokken. Now, these positions only show advertisements for licensed operators.

These changes followed a request from the regulator KVA to Google’s European office after discussions in the Dutch parliament.

How Did Google Remove Illegal Casinos from Search Results?

According to information from local media, searches like “online casino” and “online gambling” no longer display illegal offerings. Instead, only casinos with appropriate licenses to operate in the Netherlands now appear in search results. This decision came amidst growing pressure from the parliament and public organizations concerned about the spread of illegal online gambling.

After the topic was discussed in the Dutch parliament, the regulator KVA sent an official letter to Google’s European office, urging the company to take action to remove illegal offerings from search results. The issue was that illegal casinos offering unlicensed gambling could pose a threat to user safety.

Google’s Response to the Request

Google confirmed that it had cleaned up key queries and removed ads for illegal online casinos. However, KVA representative Steven Vrolyk, in an interview with local media, noted that the situation could change, and it was too early to make final conclusions. He emphasized that while the situation has improved at the moment, it is important to continue monitoring developments.

Impact on the Gambling Market in the Netherlands

This event is significant for gambling regulation in the Netherlands. In recent years, the market for illegal online casinos has grown considerably, becoming a subject of discussion at round tables and in parliament.

Many MPs have advocated for stricter control over online advertising, including on platforms such as Google and Meta. This led to discussions turning into appeals to the largest tech companies, demanding that they stop the spread of illegal advertising materials.

Instead of ads for illegal casinos, search results now display only legal operators. This step has helped improve the situation in the market; however, it is important to remember that Google may face challenges again in the future when it comes to controlling search queries and ads.

Experts’ Opinions

Steven Vrolyk, head of KVA, expressed cautious optimism regarding the consequences of this “clean-up.” He noted that the situation has improved for now, and Google has indeed fulfilled its role by removing illegal advertising offers. However, he also emphasized that we should not relax, as the situation could change at any moment.

According to him, although search results appear positive now, it is important to continue monitoring to ensure long-term compliance with legislation and protect users from potential risks associated with illegal gambling.

Control Issues

Despite the positive effect of Google’s actions, the issue of illegal online gambling remains relevant. Regulators and human rights activists continue to fight illegal operators, but success depends on many factors, including technology and legislative changes. The problem also lies in the fact that searching for illegal casinos and their ads on the internet is a global issue, which is difficult to solve at the level of just one country.