The case of Poker in Curaçao
The Netherlands, best known to some for its relaxed drug and prostitution laws, also has a territory which is a major online gambling hub: Curaçao, an island on the Caribbean Sea. Hundreds of gambling sites operate under a Curacao licence, including such prominent ones as Natural8-GGNetwork and the prominent online sportsbook Pinnacle.
However, lately, there have been some unfortunate developments for the island. The central Dutch government put pressure on their Ministry of Justice to raise the standards for issuing real money gambling licences. Also, due to new European legislation, major Euro gambling sites like partypoker and Unibet had to switch from their Curacao licence to a UK licence. GGPoker also acquired a UK gambling permit, but kept the one from Curacao as well.
Legal Status of Poker in Mainland Netherlands
As for mainland Netherlands, the locals have had a bit harder time when they wish to play online poker with friends. Online poker is technically legal in the Netherlands, however, no poker site holds a Dutch licence – yet. A new online gambling bill, the Remote Gaming Act was passed by the Dutch parliament in February 2019. This has changed the question of the legality of online poker completely, and for the better.
This new law will allow foreign gambling operators to apply for Dutch licences, as long as their “gaming systems” are located within the European Economic Area. The application process is set to start on March 1st, 2021, when the new law officially comes into effect. One of the major European gambling sites, the aforementioned Unibet which offers both online poker and sports betting, not only applied for the licence, but expressed confidence that they could become the leading brand in the newly regulated Dutch market.
While all these changes are very welcome ones, it’s not clear when online poker clients will be ready for download and real money play for Dutch players under the new regulatory framework.
Famous Dutch poker players
Speaking of Dutch poker players, some of them have seen quite some success, even on the international poker scene. Lex Veldhuis is one of the most popular poker streamers on Twitch. Marcel Luske, aka “The Flying Dutchman”, has made two deep runs in the biggest Texas Hold’em tournament every year, the WSOP Main Event. He finished 10th for $373,000 in 2004 and 23rd for $263,532 in 2017.
Do you need support?
Do you need help to deposit?
Contact us!
Our Selection of Poker Sites in Ireland
- Overall Rating 90%
- Software 95%
- Games 90%
- Offers 70%
- Payments 80%
- Great Rakeback!
- Soft Games
- GTD Tournaments % Freerolls
- Great, very smooth PC software
- Good Mobile software
- Getting more competitive
In Short:
With action available from micro to the highest stakes online, GGNet is an ideal network for both beginners and confirmed players !
- Great rakeback!
- Soft games
- GTD tournaments and freerolls
- Wide choice of games & tournaments
- Secure & reliable
- Great, very smooth PC and MAC software
- Good mobile software
- Slow withdrawals with cards
In Short:
Since 1997, partypoker has been one of the largest and most trusted online poker sites. partypoker has been a trusted name inside the online poker industry for years, and given the significance of transaction security, it is safe to say your cash is as secure at partypoker as any other major poker room.
- Overall Rating 85%
- Software 90%
- Games 85%
- Offers 80%
- Payments 95%
- Soft Games
- Soft Tournaments
- 100% Deposit Bonus
- Good Mobile software
- Great number of Deposit/Withdrawal options
- Available for PC, Mac, Android & iOS
- Bonus Deposit only up to $400
- No extra rakeback or VIP
In Short:
888 Poker is as we would see it, perfect for new players familiarizing themselves with the game of poker. Notwithstanding the First Deposit Bonus and other poker rewards, the product is anything but difficult to deal with.
- Overall Rating 85%
- Software 90%
- Games 85%
- Offers 90%
- Payments 80%
- 100% Deposit Bonus
- Wide choice of Games & Tournaments
- Exclusive GUTS Rake Chase
- Loyalty Program (VIP)
- Secure & Reliable
- Card Withdrawals are a bit long
In Short:
The iPoker Software is famous for being the most simple to explore, and is very exceptional in the online poker world. Guts has now joined this network! Special highlights are insignificant, however visually, the tables are genuinely smooth to run.
- Overall Rating 85%
- Software 90%
- Games 90%
- Offers 85%
- Payments 85%
- Upgraded Software
- Lots of Promotions And Freerolls
- Amazing Guarantee for Fast Cashouts
- Play Against A Very Soft Field
- 100% First Deposit Bonus Up To $2500
- Software available on PC, Mac, iOS & AndroidCons
- Almost No Reward System - but contact somuchpoker for a private deal
In Short:
With numerous years of working knowledge behind it, Chico network is well established now, and keeping in mind that it is probably not going to compromise the greatest names in the business at any point in the near future, player traffic is still strengthening.
Play on private apps from the Netherlands
Play with Bitcoin from the Netherlands
The games running on SWC Poker are played in BTC as a currency.
Instant and secure transactions using USDT, ETH, BTC or CHP tokens and no KYC checks.
Netherlands Poker Sites FAQs
Is online poker legal in the Netherlands?
Yes. The original gambling legislation, entailing live and remote, was passed in 1961, but, as we wrote in our intro, the issue was the lack of licencing scheme for online gambling sites. The 2019 Remote Gaming Act changed that. Now, a whole host of foreign and domestic gaming companies can start the application process, which is expected to take a while. The Kansspelautoriteit, the country’s Gambling Authority, is in charge of regulation and the new licencing process.
What is the legal age for gambling in the Netherlands?
Players must be at least 18 years of age to gamble in the Netherlands.
What are the Best Online Poker Sites in the Netherlands?
Unibet, partypoker, 888Poker, Tigergaming, and Guts Poker are all great choices that welcome Dutch players. You can read all of their reviews above.
Which Online Poker Sites are blacklisted in the Netherlands?
The situation is very fluid with the new legislation. What we know for certain is that currently Natural8 (GGNetwork) and Betfair (iPoker) are the two major poker sites who restrict players geolocated in the Netherlands from playing on their servers. The Dutch government does not block any gambling sites, as of now.
Which Irish poker site accepts Bitcoin & Cryptocurrencies?
Americas Cardroom and Blackchip Poker, both part of the Winning Poker Network, allow their players to deposit and cash out using Bitcoin. So does Intertops, part of the Horizon Network.
Latest poker news about Netherlands
Other Poker & Gambling News in the Netherlands
- 2021/08/31 – Betfair will soon be closed in the Netherlands – Flutter will close its Bertfair service in the Netherlands on September 30 because of new poker regulations asking all operators to have a license. Dutch customers have been informed of this change.
- 2021/08/31 – New poker regulations in the Netherlands – New poker regulations will take place on October 1st in the Netherlands. The previous legislation has been in place since 1964. Operators have to apply for licenses, otherwise they will close.
- 2021/08/04 – The Netherlands may open regulations for GGPoker, Holland Casino Online and Bet365 – GGPoker, Holland Casino Online and Bet365 could become fully licensed and operate legally in the Netherlands in the months to come. They would be the first regulated online poker sites in the country.
- 2021/08/04 – The Netherlands to release their new law on online gambling in October – The gambling market in the Netherlands will soon change, allowing all types of licenses including casino games played against the operator or between players, betting on sports and horse races. The process started in April and applications are being accepted.
