Meta platforms targeted by illegal gambling ads aimed at self-excluded players

Research has revealed that illegal online casinos are using Meta platforms, specifically Facebook and Instagram, to target individuals registered in Cruks, the Dutch legal register for self-exclusion from gambling. Advertisements often explicitly mention Cruks registration to offer users ways to bypass the ban through international, unlicensed sites.

An investigation found that in the final quarter of 2025, an average of over 70,000 gambling advertisements targeting the Netherlands appeared monthly on Meta's platforms, generating tens of millions of impressions. Approximately 95 percent of these were from illegal providers, while Meta removed less than 5 percent. Experts warn that these ads use AI-generated voices and target vulnerable individuals during moments of stress or loneliness.

In response to inquiries, Meta removed a significant portion of the advertisements and took specific accounts offline. Meanwhile, the industry association VNLOK has filed a lawsuit against Meta and lodged a complaint with the European Commission, citing violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires large platforms to combat illegal content.