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Meta is facing a new legal challenge in the Netherlands. A Dutch gambling company has decided to take Meta to court over ads linked to betting operators without a local license.
The case soon attracted attention since Facebook and Instagram are two of the most renowned advertising platforms across the world. Critics say illegal gambling ads can still reach users despite existing rules and moderation systems.
The lawsuit comes as governments across Europe continue to place stricter rules on online platforms and digital advertising.
The decision came from VNLOK, the Dutch trade group for licensed online gambling operators. The group claims that Meta failed to prevent the unlicensed gambling ads that are not allowed in the Netherlands. As a result, young and vulnerable users have been exposed to much of this content, which can harm them. This decision came at a time when the country was struggling to handle the growth of the black market.
According to VNLOK, up to this point, the Facebook parent company has succeeded in removing 5% of all illegal gambling ads. It has expressed doubts about Meta’s process for removing unlicensed ads from its platforms and compared it to “mopping with the tap still running.”
Additionally, the authority of VNLOK has addressed these unlicensed gambling ads as a major threat to the Dutch economy and mentioned, “This is not only an economic problem, but above all a major risk to consumer protection. Illegal providers do not adhere to rules around addiction prevention and actively target vulnerable groups such as minors and problem players.”
The case is about more than gambling ads. It also raises a bigger question. How much responsibility should social media platforms have for the ads they publish?
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The lawsuit is only another addition to the growing list of problems for Meta in Europe. In recent years, the company has faced investigations over privacy, user data, and online content. European regulators have become tougher on major technology firms. New laws have increased expectations for how platforms handle harmful or illegal material.
As a result, companies like Meta are under more scrutiny than ever before. The Dutch case is another example of that trend.
Meta uses automated systems to review the millions of ads it sees each day. These tools help the organization remove content that violates platform rules. However, not all of the ads are easy to see. Some advertisers change words, images, or website links so they can’t be detected.
This is where things can get problematic. Automated systems may capture many violations, but they are not foolproof. The Dutch lawsuit highlights the limits of technology and the increasing difficulty of taking down illegal ads from large online platforms.
