AI platforms suggest unlicensed operators as KSA-approved

A new Dutch study tested assistants and revealed all 10 recommended unlicensed gambling sites by presenting them as licensed by KSA and legal. The study was done by XY Legal Solutions during August and September 2026. The research tested ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity, Claude, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral Le Chat and Meta AI. AI assistants were tested by three types of queries: General questions about online casinos in the Netherlands. Requests for casinos unchecked by Cruks. Academic research. At least one unlicensed operator was mentioned by all 10 assistants in at least one conversation. Eight assistants were able to respond with this information regarding unlicensed operators due to neutral questions or leading questions in which no research objectives were specified. Some assistants like Mistral Le Chat, Google AI Mode, DeepSeek, and Grok named several unlicensed brands in response to one question only. In a total of 79 verbal exchanges, 33 contained at least one unlicensed operator. The presence of unlicensed companies was also found in some statements made by Microsoft Copilot, Mistral Le Chat, and Google Gemini which gave an impression that the brands were legitimate. For instance, an unlicensed operator made it to the “Top 50 legal casinos” list and was misinterpreted by Copilot as a legal brand registered by KSA and associated with Cruks. A number of responses given by the said assistants either advertised bonuses or fast payouts and even mentioned the absence of Cruks and identity controls among the statements. It was observed that some assistants refused to respond to initial questions but gave answers after the way the questions were framed changed. The findings came amid the overall scrutiny of the role of tech companies in bringing unlicensed gambling in the Netherlands. Dutch gambling trade association VNLOK has taken Meta to court, alleging that the company failed to prevent illegal gambling advertisements from reaching users on Facebook and Instagram. VNLOK chairman Björn Fuchs said: We have repeatedly pointed out the scale of the problem to Meta and asked them to cooperate structurally in finding a solution. That has yielded insufficient results. Therefore, we are now submitting the case to the Dutch courts.