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In the Netherlands, the gambling market has been heavily regulated in recent years, partly due to the introduction of the Central Register for Exclusion from Gambling (Cruks). This measure aims to prevent problematic gambling behaviour by not allowing players who want to exclude themselves — or are forced to exclude — access to legal gambling sites and physical gambling halls. Nevertheless, interest in so-called “ gambling without Cruks ” is growing. What exactly does this entail? Why do people look for alternatives outside the Cruks system? And what are the consequences? In this article you can read everything you need to know about gambling without Cruks.

What is Cruks?Cruks is a national register in which people are included who no longer want or are allowed to gamble with legal providers in the Netherlands. This register is an important part of the Gaming Authority (Ksa) and applies to all regulated providers of risky games of chance, such as online casinos, arcades and Holland Casino.

A person can register voluntarily in Cruks, or be registered by family or care providers, for example. The Gaming Authority can also force someone to exclude them in the event of a serious gambling problem. If you are registered in Cruks, you can no longer go to any legal provider. This works both online and physically.

Why do people seek out gambling without Cruks?Although Cruks is intended to protect players, some people still seek ways to continue gambling — outside the system. The reasons for this vary:

No longer access to favorite sites: Players who regret registering with Cruks sometimes want to start gambling again sooner than the agreed term allows.

Self-determination: Some people feel that they should decide for themselves whether or not they are allowed to gamble, and experience Cruks as too restrictive.

Lack of support: Players report that they have unsubscribed but have not received proper guidance for their gambling addiction, causing them to turn to offshore providers.

Want to remain anonymous: There are players who prefer to gamble anonymously and do not want their data to be shared with the government or authorities.

What does “gambling without Cruks” mean?Gambling without Cruks means that you gamble with a provider that does not have access to the Cruks register. These are almost always foreign online casinos that do not have a Dutch license. Because these casinos are not supervised by the Gaming Authority, they do not have to check whether you are registered in Cruks.

Many of these casinos are located in countries such as Malta, Curacao or Gibraltar. They do have a license from a local regulator, but do not fall under Dutch regulations.

The risks of gambling outside CruksAlthough it may sound attractive to be able to gamble without restrictions, gambling with foreign providers without Cruks entails significant risks:

No consumer protectionYou have no right to protection under Dutch law. If something goes wrong — for example, you win an amount that is not paid out — you have nowhere to go.

No supervision of fair playThe Gaming Authority checks whether games are fair with legal providers. With illegal providers, this is not guaranteed.

Addiction RisksCruks is designed to protect you from yourself. If you deliberately bypass this system, you increase the chance of relapsing into problematic gambling behavior.

Unsafe payment methodsMany illegal providers use obscure or risky payment methods, sometimes even with cryptos, where you can lose your money.

Legal uncertaintyAlthough gambling with foreign providers is often not punishable for the player, you are entering a grey legal area. The Dutch government is actively trying to block these types of gambling sites.

How do people recognize a casino without Cruks?There are some clear signs that you can recognize a casino without Cruks:

No verification via DigiD or IDIN is required.

You can register and start immediately without identity check.

It is often advertised as “no Cruks check” or “gambling without limits”.

The casino does not have a Dutch license and is usually located in another country.

The site is completely translated into English or broken Dutch.

Please note: some providers pretend to be reliable, but are in fact fraudulent parties.

Why do these casinos remain active?Despite the efforts of the Gaming Authority to keep these parties out, many foreign gambling sites remain active on the Dutch market. They circumvent blockades via mirror sites or by targeting Dutch-speaking players with other domain names. Technically, it is difficult to completely block all these websites.

In addition, these casinos use affiliates who advertise via social media, search engines or even forums. Due to the large winning chances (or the illusion of it) they remain attractive to players who can no longer go to legal providers.

Are there alternatives to gambling without Cruks?For those who have registered with Cruks but still want to gamble responsibly, there are a few alternatives:

No-stakes games: Many websites offer free games of chance or casino games without a money bet. This way you still experience the game, without financial risk.

Social casino games: Think of apps and platforms like Slotomania or Zynga Poker, where you play with virtual currency.

Help and guidance: If you are struggling with the urge to gamble again, it is wise to seek help. Organisations such as Loket Kansspel, Jellinek and AGOG offer guidance.

What does the law say?According to Dutch law, a gambling site may only operate if it has a license from the Gaming Authority. Players themselves are not yet punishable if they gamble with a foreign provider without a license, but the government does everything it can to discourage these practices.

In addition, banks can block transactions to illegal gambling sites, and telecom providers can be required to restrict access to these websites.

Gambling without Cruks: a personal considerationLooking for ways to gamble outside of Cruks is understandable, especially for people who regret signing up or feel they have been excluded too severely. However, it is important to consider the reasons behind this exclusion. After all, Cruks is intended to protect players from themselves and to give them the time and space to get a grip on their behavior.

Anyone considering gambling at a casino without Cruks should be well aware of the risks. The temptation of direct access and anonymity rarely outweighs the possible consequences on a financial, legal and mental level.

ConclusionGambling without Cruks is technically possible, but carries considerable risks. Foreign providers are not supervised, offer no protection in the event of abuses and increase the risk of addiction problems. For those who really want to stop or get a grip on their gambling behavior, Cruks is a tool — not a punishment.

If you nevertheless consider gambling outside the Cruks system, be extremely careful. Always do thorough research on the provider, use secure payment methods and set clear limits for yourself. It is even better to look for alternatives or seek help from recognized institutions.