Last updated Written by Lottery reporter
The Dutch lottery market is regulated under the Betting and Gaming Act (Wet op de kansspelen). Two groups dominate it: the state-owned Nederlandse Loterij, which runs the Staatsloterij, Lotto and Eurojackpot, and the charity lotteries, led by the Postcode Loterij.
Key facts
| Regulator | Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Tax on prizes | 37.8% in 2026 on prizes above €449 |
| Staatsloterij | Prizes paid out free of gaming tax |
| Main operators | Nederlandse Loterij and the charity lotteries |
Law and regulation
The Kansspelautoriteit supervises gambling on behalf of the Dutch government. Only operators with a Dutch licence may offer lotteries to people in the Netherlands. The licence system is meant to guarantee fair play, protect vulnerable players and make sure a share of the proceeds goes to good causes. The Ksa takes enforcement action against unlicensed online operators.
The main Dutch lotteries
Staatsloterij
A traditional ticket lottery with numbers and letters, and the oldest lottery in the country, dating back to 1726. Regular monthly draws, plus special draws on King’s Day and New Year’s Eve. All prizes are paid out free of gaming tax. Staatsloterij rules and draws · New Year’s Eve draw
Lotto
The Dutch number game: pick 6 numbers out of 45. Most of the proceeds go to Dutch sport. How the Dutch Lotto works
Postcode Loterij
A subscription lottery in which your postcode is your ticket, so you win together with your neighbours. Monthly draws. It is the largest charity lottery in the Netherlands. About the Postcode Loterij
Eurojackpot
The European draw game, played in the Netherlands through the Nederlandse Loterij. Draws on Tuesday and Friday, with a jackpot cap of €120 million. Eurojackpot in the Netherlands
Other charity lotteries
Besides the Postcode Loterij there are the BankGiro Loterij, the VriendenLoterij, and the two Fairshare lotteries Care-a-Lot and Lot of Happiness. How these lotteries fund good causes is explained on our page about charity lotteries.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay gaming tax on a Dutch lottery prize?
It depends on the lottery. The Dutch gaming tax is 37.8% in 2026 (34.2% in 2025) and applies to prizes above €449. The Staatsloterij pays all prizes tax-free because it settles the tax itself. At the Postcode Loterij, cash prizes above €449 are taxed. Always check the prize terms of the lottery you play. More on this in lottery tax by country.
Can tourists and expats play Dutch lotteries?
Anyone aged 18 or over can buy tickets in a shop and claim prizes. Playing online on the operators’ own websites requires an account with identity verification, which in practice is set up for residents of the Netherlands.
Which Dutch lottery has the biggest jackpot?
Eurojackpot, with a jackpot cap of €120 million. Among the purely Dutch games, the Staatsloterij New Year’s Eve draw carries the best-known top prize.
Sources: Kansspelautoriteit, CBS (gaming tax rates), Nederlandse Loterij. 18+ Play responsibly. Signs of a gambling problem
