Dutch Lottery Takes Legal Action Against Unlicensed Operator Skyhills

Nederlandse Loterij has launched legal action against Skyhills and the parties behind the operator over allegations that it illegally offered gambling services to consumers in the Netherlands.

The Dutch Lottery said Skyhills, operated by Curaçao-based Skyhills N.V., does not hold a Dutch gambling licence but had allowed consumers in the country to create accounts and gamble through its platform. Nederlandse Loterij is seeking to force the operator and associated parties to cease offering gambling services in the Netherlands.

Skyhills Goes Offline Following Legal Action

Nederlandse Loterij argues that the activities of unlicensed operators are unlawful and disadvantage companies operating within the regulated Dutch market. It has also raised concerns about the absence of protections available to consumers gambling through such platforms.

CEO Arjan Blok accused Skyhills of using what he described as “devious” advertising methods, including promotions on TikTok, to explicitly target Dutch consumers and particularly younger audiences. The Skyhills website subsequently went offline following the initial action taken by Nederlandse Loterij.

“They can gamble there completely unprotected, with all the associated risks,” Blok said. “That is unacceptable. That is why it is good to see that, following our first step, the Skyhills site went offline immediately.”

The proceedings represent the third legal case brought by Nederlandse Loterij against an operator accused of providing unlicensed gambling services in the Netherlands.

In April, the lottery launched civil proceedings against the operators and directors behind Qbet. The action followed a record €24.8 million fine imposed by Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) relating to the operation of two brands in the country without the required licence. The civil case remains ongoing.

Nederlandse Loterij also filed a civil lawsuit against Costa Rica-based Lalabet in 2025. That case resulted in the parties behind Lalabet being ordered to stop offering gambling services to Dutch consumers, while the court also ruled that the operator had acted unlawfully towards Nederlandse Loterij.

Calls For Stronger Action Against Illegal Gambling

The latest proceedings come ahead of a Dutch parliamentary debate on gambling scheduled for 3 September. Nederlandse Loterij has used the upcoming debate to call for stronger and more immediate measures against operators targeting the Netherlands without a licence.

Blok welcomed planned reforms that would provide the KSA with greater powers to act against illegal gambling websites but warned that legislative changes could take years to implement. He instead called for a broader response involving government authorities and businesses providing services to unlicensed operators.

“That is why the government must do more now to tackle illegal gambling sites, for example through criminal prosecution by the Public Prosecution Service,” Blok said.

“We must fight illegal gambling sites where players are completely unprotected together. Banks, payment providers, and hosting services also have a responsibility in this.”

Nederlandse Loterij Warns Against Advertising Ban

Nederlandse Loterij has also criticised proposals for a complete ban on advertising by licensed online gambling operators, arguing that further restrictions could make it more difficult for regulated brands to compete with illegal alternatives.

According to figures cited by the lottery, unlicensed operators now account for half of the Dutch gambling market and 95% of gambling advertising, while approximately 200,000 Dutch consumers are already gambling illegally.

Nederlandse Loterij argues that licensed operators therefore need some ability to advertise their regulated products and direct consumers towards legal platforms.

“A total ban on advertising for legal providers therefore plays into the hands of illegal gambling sites,” the lottery said.