About this app
About Shimmering Woods
This will enable them to continue legal operations in the Netherlands from 1 October 2026 through to 30 September 2031.
It is the first time since the market was launched in 2021 that licences have come up for renewal and whomever is on the final list will indicate how many operators have decided not to remain in the market.
The initial 2021 licences are set to expire at the end of September 2026. All licence holders were required to submit applications for the subsequent five-year period, covering 2026 to 2031.
What is Shimmering Woods?
Tailored, behaviour-triggered messages were seen as more effective than generic warnings, but many participants simultaneously expressed mistrust towards operators collecting behavioural data.
Finally, the study found that these needs and preferences varied widely by product type.
Notably, sports bettors prioritised fast and clear information that was delivered without the interventions being disruptive. Casino players wanted accessible explanations and real-time support during play.
What is Shimmering Woods?
Excluding lotteries, the Gambling Commission reported that GGY rose 4.7% to £13.2 billion ($17.7 billion) between April 2025 and March 2026.
Growth was strongest online, where remote casino, betting, and bingo GGY climbed 6.9% to £8.3 billion ($11.1 billion), compared with a modest 1.1% increase across land-based sectors.
This digital expansion coincided with a continued shrinkage in physical retail. Great Britain had 8,081 licensed premises at the end of the period, down 2% year-on-year.
