Best sports betting sites in Netherlands for May 2024

If you are interested in online betting in the Netherlands, you might be wondering which bookmakers are legal, reliable and offer the best odds and bonuses. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you choose the most suitable bookmaker for your needs. 

Popular sports and leagues for betting in Netherlands

The Netherlands is a country with a rich sporting culture and history, and Dutch bettors have many options when it comes to choosing their favourite sports and leagues to bet on. Some of the most popular sports for betting in the Netherlands are:

Football: Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport for betting in the Netherlands, as well as the most successful sport for the national team. Dutch bettors can enjoy betting on domestic competitions such as the Eredivisie, the KNVB Cup and the Eerste Divisie, as well as international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA European Championship, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. Some of the best bookmakers for football betting in the Netherlands are Bet365, Unibet and ZEbet.

Speed skating: Speed skating is another sport that has a long tradition and success in the Netherlands, especially at the Winter Olympics. Dutch bettors can follow and bet on their favourite skaters at events such as the World Championships, the World Cup, the European Championships and the Olympic Games. Some of the best bookmakers for speed skating betting in the Netherlands are BetCity, Circus and Leon.

Cycling: Cycling is also a sport that attracts many fans and bettors in the Netherlands, as the country has produced some of the best cyclists in history. Dutch bettors can bet on various cycling disciplines such as road racing, track cycling, mountain biking and cyclo-cross at events such as the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia, the Vuelta a España, the World Championships and the Olympic Games. Some of the best bookmakers for cycling betting in the Netherlands are Bet365, Unibet and Cloudbet.

Tennis: Tennis is another sport that has a large following and popularity among Dutch bettors, especially during major tournaments such as Wimbledon, Roland Garros, Australian Open and US Open. Dutch bettors can also bet on other tennis events such as ATP Tour, WTA Tour, Davis Cup and Fed Cup. Some of the best bookmakers for tennis betting in the Netherlands are Bet365, Unibet and LiveScore Bet.

Darts: Darts is a sport that has grown significantly in popularity and professionalism in recent years, thanks to some of the world's best players coming from the Netherlands. Dutch bettors can bet on various darts tournaments such as the World Championship, the Premier League, the World Matchplay, the World Grand Prix and the Grand Slam of Darts. Some of the best bookmakers for darts betting in the Netherlands are Bet365, Unibet and Jack's.

Of course, these are not the only sports that Dutch bettors can bet on. There are many other sports and markets available at the licensed bookmakers in the Netherlands, such as basketball, rugby, golf, cricket, MMA, boxing, esports and more. Whatever your preference, you can find a bookmaker that suits your needs and interests.

Popular types of welcome bonuses and other bonuses in Netherlands

One of the advantages of betting online is that you can benefit from various bonuses and promotions that bookmakers offer to attract and retain customers. These bonuses can enhance your betting experience and increase your chances of winning. However, not all bonuses are created equal, and you should always read the terms and conditions carefully before claiming them.

Some of the most popular types of bonuses that you can find at bookmakers in the Netherlands are:

• Welcome bonus: A welcome bonus is a bonus that bookmakers offer to new customers who register and make their first deposit. Usually, this bonus is a percentage of your first deposit amount, up to a certain limit. For example, Bet365 offers a 100% welcome bonus up to €100, which means that if you deposit €100, you will get another €100 as bonus money. However, you should be aware that welcome bonuses usually have wagering requirements, which means that you have to bet a certain amount of money before you can withdraw your bonus or any winnings from it.
• Free bet: A free bet is a bonus that bookmakers offer to customers who place a qualifying bet on a specific event or market. Usually, this bonus is a fixed amount of money that you can use to place another bet on any event or market of your choice. For example, Unibet offers a €25 free bet if you place a €25 bet on any Champions League match. However, you should be aware that free bets usually have expiry dates, which means that you have to use them within a certain period of time.
• Cashback: A cashback is a bonus that bookmakers offer to customers who lose a bet on a specific event or market. Usually, this bonus is a percentage of your lost stake, up to a certain limit. For example, Circus offers a 10% cashback up to €50 if you lose a bet on any Eredivisie match. However, you should be aware that cashbacks usually have minimum odds requirements, which means that you have to place your bet on an event or market with certain odds or higher.
• Loyalty program: A loyalty program is a bonus that bookmakers offer to customers who regularly bet with them. Usually, this bonus is based on collecting points for every bet you place, which you can then exchange for rewards such as free bets, cash prizes or merchandise. For example, Jack's offers a loyalty program called Jack's Club, where you can earn points for every €10 you wager and redeem them for various rewards.

These are some of the most common types of bonuses that you can find at bookmakers in the Netherlands, but there are many others as well. You should always check the promotions page of each bookmaker to see what they offer and how to claim them.

The most common odds

The odds are the numbers that indicate how likely an event is to happen and how much money you can win if you bet on it. There are different types of odds, such as decimal, fractional, American, and Asian. In the Netherlands, the most common odds are decimal odds, which are also used by most European bookmakers.

Decimal odds show how much money you will get back for every euro you bet, including your stake. For example, if you bet €10 on an event with decimal odds of 2.50, you will get back €25 (€10 x 2.50) if you win, which means a profit of €15 (€25 - €10).

To calculate your potential profit from decimal odds, you can use this formula:

Profit = (Stake x Odds) - Stake

Some bookmakers also offer fractional odds, which are more common in the UK and Ireland. Fractional odds show how much profit you will make for every euro you stake. For example, if you bet €10 on an event with fractional odds of 3/2, you will make a profit of €15 (€10 x 3/2) if you win, which means a return of €25 (€10 + €15).

To calculate your potential profit from fractional odds, you can use this formula:

Profit = Stake x (Numerator / Denominator)

American odds are more common in the US and Canada. They show how much money you need to stake to win €100 or how much money you will win if you stake €100, depending on whether they are positive or negative. For example, if you bet €100 on an event with American odds of +200, you will win €200 if you win, which means a return of €300 (€100 + €200). If you bet €100 on an event with American odds of -200, you need to win €200 to break even, which means a return of €100 (€100 - €200 + €200).

To calculate your potential profit from American odds, you can use these formulas:

Profit = (Stake / 100) x Odds (if positive)

Profit = (Stake / Odds) x 100 (if negative)

Asian odds are more common in Asia and Australia. They are similar to decimal odds, but they also include a handicap that gives an advantage or a disadvantage to one of the teams or players. For example, if you bet €10 on Team A with Asian odds of 1.90 (-0.5), it means that Team A has to win by more than half a goal for you to win your bet. If Team A wins by exactly half a goal, your bet is refunded. If Team A loses or draws, you lose your bet.

To calculate your potential profit from Asian odds, you can use this formula:

Profit = (Stake x Odds) - Stake

Deposit and withdrawal methods available in Netherlands

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a bookmaker is the availability and convenience of deposit and withdrawal methods. You want to be able to fund your account and cash out your winnings quickly and easily, without paying too much fees or waiting too long.

In the Netherlands, there are several payment methods that are widely accepted by most bookmakers. Some of the most popular ones are:

• iDEAL: This is an online banking service that allows you to make instant transfers from your bank account to your bookmaker account. It is safe, secure, and free of charge. You just need to have an account with one of the participating banks, such as ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank, SNS Bank, etc.
• Credit cards: This is another convenient way to make deposits and withdrawals using your Visa or Mastercard. However, some bookmakers may charge a small fee for this service or impose some limits on the amount or frequency of transactions.
• E-wallets: These are online accounts that allow you to store and transfer money electronically. Some of the most popular e-wallets among Dutch bettors are Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, and ecoPayz. They offer fast and secure transactions with low fees and high limits. However, you need to create and verify an account with them before you can use them.
• Prepaid cards: These are cards that you can buy at retail outlets or online and use to make deposits at bookmakers. They are anonymous, safe, and easy to use. However, they are not suitable for withdrawals and they may have some restrictions on the amount or validity of the card. Some of the most common prepaid cards are Paysafecard, Neosurf, and CASHlib.
• Cryptocurrencies: These are digital currencies that operate independently of any central authority or intermediary. They offer fast, secure, and anonymous transactions with low fees and high limits. However, they are also volatile, complex, and risky. Some of the most popular cryptocurrencies among Dutch bettors are Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dogecoin.

Legal and tax issues related to betting in Netherlands

The legal situation of online betting in the Netherlands is somewhat complicated and changing. Until recently, the only legal bookmaker in the country was TOTO, which is operated by the state-owned Nederlandse Loterij. However, in 2021, the Dutch government passed a new law that opened the market for other licensed operators to offer online betting services to Dutch customers.

The new law, known as the Remote Gambling Act (KOA), came into effect on April 1st, 2021, and introduced a licensing system for online bookmakers that want to operate in the Netherlands. The licenses are issued by the Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA), which is responsible for regulating and supervising the online gambling market. The KSA has set some strict requirements and conditions for the applicants, such as:

• Paying a €48,000 application fee and a 29% tax on gross gaming revenue
• Having a physical presence and a representative in the Netherlands
• Offering a responsible gambling policy and tools
• Complying with anti-money laundering and consumer protection rules
• Using a .nl domain name and offering customer service in Dutch
• Contributing to a fund for problem gambling prevention and treatment

The KSA has received more than 30 applications from bookmakers that want to obtain a license in the Netherlands. The first licenses were granted on October 1st, 2021, and some of the bookmakers that have already launched their online platforms in the country are Unibet, Bet365, Betsson, Bwin, LeoVegas, and William Hill.

The new law also affects the Dutch bettors, who now have more options and protection when it comes to online betting. However, they also have some obligations and responsibilities, such as:

• Being at least 18 years old
• Registering with a licensed bookmaker and verifying their identity
• Paying taxes on their winnings
• Reporting any suspicious or illegal activity

According to the Dutch tax law, bettors have to pay a 30.1% tax on their net winnings (total winnings minus total stakes) from online betting if they exceed €449 in a calendar month. The tax is deducted automatically by the bookmaker if they are licensed in the Netherlands. If they are not licensed in the Netherlands, the bettor has to declare and pay the tax themselves.

How to choose the most suitable bookmaker

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing a bookmaker in the Netherlands. Depending on your preferences and needs, you may value some aspects more than others. However, some of the general criteria that you should look for in a good bookmaker are:

1. License: You should always choose a bookmaker that is licensed by the KSA or another reputable authority. This way, you can be sure that they are legal, fair, and safe.
2. Reputation: You should also check the reputation of the bookmaker among other bettors and experts. You can read reviews, ratings, testimonials, and feedback from various sources to get an idea of their quality and reliability.
3. Markets: You should choose a bookmaker that offers a wide range of markets and events that suit your interests and knowledge. You should also check the odds and margins that they offer and compare them with other bookmakers to find the best value.
4. Bonuses: You should take advantage of the bonuses and promotions that bookmakers offer to attract and retain customers. You can find welcome bonuses, free bets, cashback offers, loyalty programs, etc. However, you should always read the terms and conditions carefully before claiming any bonus.
5. Features: You should also look for some features that can enhance your betting experience and increase your chances of winning. Some of these features are live streaming, live betting, cash out, bet builder, etc.
6. Payment methods: You should choose a bookmaker that offers convenient and secure payment methods that suit your preferences and needs. You should also check the fees, limits, processing times, and currencies that they support.
7. Customer service: You should choose a bookmaker that offers friendly and professional customer service that can help you with any issue or question that you might have.

FAQ

Is online sports betting legal in Netherlands?

Online sports betting is legal in Netherlands, but only through licensed operators. The Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) regulates the online gambling market and issues licenses to operators who meet the criteria.

How can I find the best bookmakers in Netherlands?

There are many factors to consider when choosing a bookmaker, such as the odds, markets, bonuses, customer service, payment methods, security and reputation. You can compare different bookmakers using online reviews, ratings and feedback from other bettors.

What are the most popular sports to bet on in Netherlands?

The most popular sports to bet on in Netherlands are football, tennis, cycling, speed skating and darts. However, you can also find a variety of other sports and events to bet on, such as basketball, golf, esports, politics and entertainment.

What are the advantages of betting with a Dutch bookmaker?

Betting with a Dutch bookmaker has some advantages, such as having access to local markets and events, being able to use the euro as your currency, benefiting from tax-free winnings and having the protection of the Dutch Gaming Authority.

What are the risks of betting with an unlicensed bookmaker?

Betting with an unlicensed bookmaker is illegal and risky. You may face fines or prosecution from the authorities, lose your money or personal information to fraudsters, or have no recourse if you encounter any problems or disputes with the bookmaker.