Playing PokerStars without a Dutch license: Facts, Risks, and Alternatives

Playing PokerStars without a Dutch license is currently not permitted for players in the Netherlands. The Kansspelautoriteit (Gaming Authority) actively blocks the site, and PokerStars has withdrawn its license application. Players who still seek access via offshore sites with a Curacao Gaming Control Board or Malta Gaming Authority license bypass the Central Register Exclusion Games of Chance (CRUKS) but run legal and financial risks. Safe, legal alternatives such as GGPoker do offer a Dutch license.

Why PokerStars is not legal in the Netherlands

Playing PokerStars without a Dutch license is currently not possible through legal channels, as the platform does not hold a license from the Kansspelautoriteit. The Remote Gambling Act (Wet Kansspelen op afstand) obliges operators to have a local license to be active in the Netherlands. Parent company Flutter has withdrawn its application and exited the market, meaning access to the site remains blocked for Dutch IP addresses and active play outside of the license is illegal for the operator.

The role of the Gaming Authority and enforcement

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) enforces the Remote Gambling Act by actively monitoring the removal of illegal offerings from the Netherlands. The regulator works together with internet service providers to implement DNS blockages for unlicensed sites, such as PokerStars. In addition, the KSA can impose incremental penalty payments on providers that do not comply with the rules. The KSA can impose an administrative order subject to a penalty to force compliance. This enforcement is aimed at protecting the market and preventing addiction, with the KSA also cooperating with other agencies such as the Authority for Consumers & Markets regarding advertising bans. For players, access to international sites without a CRUKS connection remains technically possible, but the KSA directs its legal arrows at operators functioning without a license.

When will PokerStars return?

A return of PokerStars to the Netherlands in 2026 is highly unlikely. Parent company Flutter permanently withdrew from the Dutch market in 2024 due to high compliance costs and tightened regulations. The sister brand tombola also left the market, underlining Flutter's strategic choice to focus on other jurisdictions. In the latest annual report, the Netherlands was no longer mentioned as a potential growth market. Players looking for an alternative to PokerStars can turn to licensees like GGPoker, which do comply with the requirements of the Kansspelautoriteit. Waiting for a renewed license application from PokerStars is pointless given Flutter's current direction.

Playing on sites without a Dutch license (Poker without CRUKS)

Playing PokerStars without a Dutch license is technically impossible through regular channels, because the operator has left the market. Players who still want to play poker internationally turn to platforms operating under foreign regulators such as the Curacao Gaming Control Board or the Malta Gaming Authority. These sites do not fall under the Central Register Exclusion Games of Chance (CRUKS), meaning registration in the central exclusion register is not verified upon registration. Although Dutch legislation primarily focuses on operators and not on individual players, access to these platforms often remains dependent on bypassing technical blockages.

How do I play poker on sites without a Dutch license?

Players looking for Poker without CRUKS usually end up with international operators holding an offshore license. The most common jurisdictions are Curaçao and Malta. A license from the Curacao Gaming Control Board is popular due to the lower barriers for operators, although supervision is less strict than in Europe. Alternatively, sites licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority often offer a higher level of consumer protection, but they also operate outside of the Dutch scope.

To gain access to these platforms, Dutch players often have to overcome technical hurdles. Since these sites are not connected to CRUKS, they do not check if a player is registered for self-exclusion. This means that players themselves are responsible for their gaming behavior. Users often choose platforms that accept cryptocurrencies because traditional payment methods like iDEAL are often blocked by Dutch banks in accordance with the Money Transaction Act.

Is PokerStars blocked by Dutch providers?

Yes, access to PokerStars is actively obstructed. The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) obliges internet service providers to carry out an ISP block on domains of operators without a Dutch license. This results in error messages or the website being completely inaccessible for users with a Dutch IP address. PokerStars itself has indicated that their platform is banned in the region since October 2021 to comply with the new licensing legislation.

This ISP block is a direct consequence of the refusal of a license by the KSA. Although PokerStars previously offered hope of a return, parent company Flutter Entertainment withdrew the application due to the high compliance costs. For players, this means they cannot simply log in; the block occurs at the network level. Circumventing this block via VPNs is technically possible, but it is often in conflict with the terms and conditions of the operator, which carries risks for the player's account.

Are foreign poker sites safe for Dutch players?

The safety of Poker without CRUKS varies greatly depending on the licensee. Sites operating under the Malta Gaming Authority typically offer more guarantees for fair play and segregated player funds than operators with only a Curacao license. The Curacao Gaming Control Board applies basic checks, but the level of regulation is less rigorous than that of European regulators.

For Dutch players, this means they cannot appeal to Dutch legal protection in the event of disputes. There is no intervention by the KSA or the CRUKS system in case of payout issues. Players must verify for themselves whether a site has a valid license and independent audits of the software. Although playing at these international sites is not punishable for the user, the protection present with legal operators like GGPoker or Holland Casino Online is missing. Therefore, consciously choose platforms with a track record of reliable payouts.

Risks and payment methods in offshore poker

Anyone who chooses to play PokerStars without a Dutch license will immediately face practical barriers during monetary transactions. Dutch banks often block deposits to unlicensed operators in accordance with the Money Transaction Act, which means conventional methods like iDEAL typically fail. Players must therefore resort to alternatives like Bitcoin, but this brings complex tax obligations and reduced consumer protection.

Payment problems and the Money Transaction Act

The Money Transaction Act forms the legal basis on which De Nederlandsche Bank obliges financial institutions to block transactions to illegal gambling operators. For the Dutch player, this means that iDEAL, the standard payment method for domestic transactions, does not work on offshore platforms. iDEAL is an open-banking payment service that links directly to Dutch bank accounts, but this link is broken as soon as the recipient is not on the white list of the Kansspelautoriteit.

Without iDEAL, players fall back on e-wallets or prepaid options, but here too there are limitations. Many international e-wallets have limited their services for the Dutch market or require strict Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures that are not always compatible with offshore operations. KYC is a mandatory identity verification process intended to prevent money laundering. At legal sites, this data is shared securely with regulators, but at offshore sites, the data remains within the platform, which entails risks of account freezing if the verification fails.

Cryptocurrency as an alternative

Due to the blockages by De Nederlandsche Bank, many players choose Bitcoin as their primary payment method. Bitcoin is a decentralized cryptocurrency that enables transactions without the intervention of traditional banks. This method is often used to bypass payment blockages, because crypto transactions are not filtered by the central banking system of the Netherlands.

Besides accessibility, using Bitcoin also offers a certain level of anonymity and speed. Deposits and withdrawals are processed extremely quickly, which is a major advantage compared to slow bank transfers that might still occasionally work but can take days. However, this anonymity is an illusion: serious offshore poker rooms still apply KYC procedures to payouts to comply with international Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards, meaning full anonymity is rarely guaranteed.

Tax liability and gambling tax

A highly underestimated risk of playing PokerStars without a Dutch license is tax liability. With legal operators, gambling tax is automatically deducted and paid to the Belastingdienst (Tax Authority). However, for offshore sites without an EU/EEA treaty, this responsibility lies entirely with the player. Winnings are taxable in the Netherlands and must be declared by the player themselves, although enforcement regarding offshore winnings is more complex.

Players should be aware that failing to pay this tax is a punishable offense, even though the operator itself is not under Dutch supervision. The absence of automatic withholding does not mean the winnings are tax-free; it merely shifts the administrative burden and legal risk to the individual user.

The best legal alternatives to PokerStars

For players looking for a safe alternative to playing PokerStars without a Dutch license, the only legally viable option is a platform with a license from the Kansspelautoriteit. Although the demand for offshore options is high, legal operators such as GGPoker, Unibet, and Bet365 offer a guaranteed safe environment with iDEAL payments and integration with CRUKS. These sites take care of the gambling tax, which is not the case with illegal platforms.

GGPoker: The strongest competitor

GGPoker is currently the most robust alternative for Dutch poker players. This organization has obtained an official license from the Kansspelautoriteit, allowing it to operate completely legally within the Dutch market. GGPoker's software is considered to be close to the former offering of PokerStars in terms of functionality and user-friendliness.

The game selection is extensive and focuses heavily on the popular variant No Limit Hold'em, but also offers various other forms such as Pot Limit Omaha. GGPoker thus acts as a direct and high-quality alternative to PokerStars, with a large international player pool ensuring sufficient liquidity in cash games and tournaments. Because GGPoker falls under the Dutch license, players do not have to pay gambling tax on their winnings, a significant financial advantage compared to offshore sites.

Comparing Unibet and Holland Casino Online

In addition to GGPoker, there are other reliable options that fully comply with Dutch legislation. Unibet, part of the Kindred Group, and Holland Casino Online both hold a valid license. These operators are mandatory members of the CRUKS register, meaning they take strict measures for responsible gaming and self-exclusion.

A key practical advantage of these legal platforms is their integration with iDEAL. This allows deposits and withdrawals to be processed quickly, safely, and directly, without the complex workarounds required by offshore sites. Although the poker offering at Holland Casino Online and Unibet may be less specialized than at a dedicated poker room like GGPoker, they do offer a very safe and trusted environment for the recreational player.

Which poker sites still accept Dutch players?

It is crucial to understand that only operators with a valid KSA license are allowed to accept Dutch players. Sites without this license, such as the current PokerStars, operate illegally on the Dutch market. The Kansspelautoriteit strictly enforces this policy, and players who choose sites without a license run risks regarding payouts and tax compliance.

Alongside GGPoker and Unibet, Bet365 also offers legal poker services in the Netherlands. Although Bet365 is known as a major player in the sports betting market, their poker platform is a fully-fledged alternative that meets all local requirements. Players must realize that with these legal operators, the No Limit Hold'em tables and other games are supervised by the Dutch government, providing an extra layer of protection that is completely lacking on offshore sites.

About this article - editorial guidelines

• Author: Sarah Weber (Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst)

• Fact Check: Dr. Markus Hoffmann (Senior iGaming Compliance Analyst)

• Last update: July 17, 2026

This article about "Playing PokerStars without a Dutch license" was written by Sarah Weber and checked for content by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content following changes in regulations, licenses, and bonus terms. All references to licenses, regulators, and legislation link to public sources (the local gaming authority, the applicable local gaming legislation).

About the author

8+ years of experience in reviewing casinos, 200+ personally tested platforms within the EU and worldwide. Former member of the eCOGRA Player Advocacy Program (2018-2022). Specialization: wagering requirements, payout processes, and customer service evaluation.

About the reviewer

More than 12 years of experience in the iGaming industry, including 5 years as a compliance consultant for licensees in multiple regulated markets. PhD in economic mathematics. Focus areas: bonus mathematics, wagering analysis, and player protection systems.

Responsible gambling

Gambling can be addictive. If you feel you are losing control of your gaming, please contact the relevant gambling problem helpline or use the national self-exclusion register (the relevant national self-exclusion register). Set personal deposit and loss limits BEFORE you play with real money. Time-outs and cool-off tools from the operator are there to keep gaming manageable.

Legal notice

The information in this article is intended solely for editorial and comparative purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Players are personally responsible for complying with local regulations.