Dutch trade association VNLOK is going to sue Meta and is filing a complaint with the European Commission regarding the large-scale distribution of illegal gambling advertisements on Facebook and Instagram.

According to VNLOK, the tech company’s measures are structurally inadequate, while vulnerable groups including young people – are being reached en masse by the illegal gambling advertisements.

Meta has refused for quite some time to engage in substantive dialogue with the Dutch trade association of legal online gambling providers. VNLOK is now announcing that it is taking both legal action and involving the European Commission.

The illegal gambling market in the Netherlands is now approximately as large as the legal market. An estimated more than 1 billion euros is involved in illegal online gambling annually.

“This is not only an economic problem, but above all a major risk to consumer protection. Illegal providers do not adhere to rules regarding addiction prevention and actively target vulnerable groups such as minors and problem gamblers,” says VNLOK Chairman Björn Fuchs. Facebook and Instagram flooded with illegal gambling advertisements

Facebook and Instagram play a central role in the growth of the illegal market. VNLOK has been conducting research into advertisements for illegal gambling sites for quite some time. This research shows that in the last quarter of 2025, an average of over 70,000 gambling advertisements targeting the Netherlands were visible on the Meta platforms.

More than 95% of this gambling promotion originated from illegal providers, generating tens of millions of impressions among Dutch consumers every month. Less than 5% of these advertisements were removed by Meta. Consequently, illegal gambling providers continue to reach Dutch consumers on a large scale via Meta platforms.

VNLOK is highly critical of Meta’s approach. The tech company relies primarily on retrospective reports, via standard user tools. “That is like trying to mop up water with the tap still running,” according to VNLOK. “Illegal providers keep returning with new advertisements. The Gaming Authority reports thousands of illegal gambling advertisements to Meta every month.

Large online platforms are legally obliged to continue investing in the detection, monitoring, and restriction of illegal gambling advertisements targeting Dutch consumers. As long as Meta fails to comply with its legal obligation, the illegal market will continue to grow and vulnerable players will be exposed to significant risks. That is why we are now taking legal action as well as to Brussels.”

According to VNLOK, the European Digital Services Act (DSA) obliges very large online platforms such as Meta to take adequate measures to limit the risks of illegal content on their platform. Especially if it occurs structurally and on a large scale. Given the large number of illegal gambling advertisements, this system falls structurally short at Meta.

According to VNLOK, the situation has escalated further because Meta refuses to engage in substantive dialogue with the trade association.

“Meta asks for examples of illegal advertisements but is unwilling to cooperate to develop structural solutions. That is incomprehensible.”