Permit for gaming machines and amusement arcades

This information is provided by:Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVONetherlands Enterprise Agency, RVOLast updated on Nederlandse versie

Do you want to place gaming machines, such as a slot machine or gambling machine, in an amusement arcade or catering establishment? In general you will need a permit.

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at your municipality, province, or water authority
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There are 3 types of gaming machines:

  • machines on which you play games of chance (such as fruit machines and slot machines)
  • machines on which you play games of skill (for example pinball machines or photo play)
  • funfair machines (for instance claw grabbers or coin pushers)

Gaming machine in your catering establishment

Do you want to install a gaming machine (slot machine) in your catering establishment? You must obtain a gaming machine permit (aanwezigheidsvergunning) from the local municipal authority before placing a gambling machine in a catering establishment. Check with your municipality which conditions apply, how many machines you can install, and for how long the permit is valid. For a game-of-skill machine (for example a pinball machine or photo play) you do not require a gaming machine permit.

Starting a gaming centre (speelautomatenhal)

If you want to run a gaming centre with gaming machines you need to:

  • apply for an operating permit (in Dutch) to the Netherlands Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit)
  • apply for a gaming machine permit to your municipality

In some municipalities you can apply for both permits at once.

Preventing gaming addiction

If you have a gaming machine permit for a gaming centre, you must have measures in place to prevent addiction (in Dutch). You must for instance check the players in the Central Gaming Exclusion Register (Cruks) register (in Dutch), observe their playing behaviour, and intervene in case of risky playing behaviour.

Starting an amusement arcade (arcadehal)

An amusement arcade (amusement centre) often has games of skill and sometimes funfair machines with games of chance. In some municipalities you need a permit to install funfair machines or to establish an amusement arcade. Check with the municipality where you want to run an amusement arcade if you need a permit.

Renting or selling gaming machines

Are you an operator of gaming machines? You sell or rent gaming machines to catering establishments for example? Then you need an operating permit. You apply for an operating permit (in Dutch) to the Netherlands Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit). This operating permit is valid for 10 years.

Marketing gaming machines

Are you a manufacturer or importer and do you want to bring a gaming machine (either for games of chance or games of skill) on the Dutch market? Only those gaming machines that have officially been admitted to the Dutch market, are allowed. Manufacturers and importers need to have a gaming machine type licence (in Dutch, application form available in English) from the Netherlands Gaming Authority. There should be no games om the machine that are not approved.

If there are any changes in the admitted model, you must apply for a change in the machine type licence with the application form affirmation approved type conformity to the Nethgerlands Gaming Authority.

Online application procedure via Message Box

With Message Box, you can apply for an operating permit to the Netherlands Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit). With Message Box, you can also apply for the gaming machine permit from the municipality. Message Box is a secure email system that enables you as an entrepreneur to exchange digital messages with Dutch government agencies.

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