Dutch Regulator Bans Gambling Sponsorships at 2025 Zandvoort Grand Prix

This clarification comes ahead of the race, which will take place from 29–31 August 2025, ensuring both domestic and international teams adhere to Dutch advertising rules.

According to the KSA, all teams competing in the Netherlands must comply with regulations that prohibit visible branding from gambling providers. This applies regardless of whether a gambling operator is licensed abroad. The regulator has shared this guidance with sports associations and event organisers to prevent any potential breaches during high-profile events such as Formula 1.

The rules reflect existing Dutch law, which forbids the promotion of gambling services without a Dutch licence. Violations, including displaying unlicensed gambling advertisements, are considered illegal and may lead to sanctions. Even licensed gambling providers face restrictions, particularly regarding the advertising of online betting services, with clear limits on how and where promotion can occur.

This is not the first time the KSA has intervened in Formula 1 sponsorships. Last year, the regulator contacted the Sauber racing team and the Dutch Grand Prix organisers to avoid promotion of Stake, a team’s title partner at the time, as Stake did not hold a licence in the Netherlands. The 2025 guidance follows a similar approach, making it clear that no team will be allowed to participate with visible gambling branding.

The KSA encourages all parties involved in sporting events to remain vigilant regarding sponsorship content. Organisers and teams are advised to reach out to the authority with any questions about the admissibility of specific sponsorships or advertising materials, ensuring full compliance with Dutch law.

Additionally, the KSA has recently conducted automated data quality checks on all active licence holders’ Control Databases (CDBs). These checks identified a range of potential deficiencies in data accuracy and completeness. In parallel, the regulator issued a formal warning to TonyBet for offering prohibited football-related betting markets, which breached Dutch gambling regulations.

The KSA’s proactive monitoring and clear communication ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix underline its commitment to maintaining a legally compliant sports sponsorship environment, protecting consumers, and upholding the integrity of gambling and advertising laws in the Netherlands.