Risks of gambling on credit with Klarna: legislation and dangers

Gambling on credit via Klarna carries significant risks. That is why this payment method is prohibited at legal Dutch casinos. Article 4.2 of the Remote Gambling Decree states that operators are not allowed to facilitate credit. Klarna Pay Now (via Sofort) is permitted as a direct payment, but Klarna often blocks transactions to gambling sites due to Merchant Category Code 7995. Players who nevertheless play on credit via illegal sites run a high risk of accumulating debt and receiving a negative BKR registration.

Legal framework: why paying afterwards is prohibited

The risks of gambling on credit with Klarna are legally excluded in the Netherlands to protect players from debt. The Remote Gambling Decree explicitly prohibits offering credit. Legal operators are therefore not allowed to facilitate 'Buy Now, Pay Later' options. The Kansspelautoriteit strictly enforces this within the framework of the Remote Gambling Act (Wet KOA).

Article 4.2 and the political context

Article 4.2 is the legal basis for the prohibition on providing credit in online gambling. This provision from the Remote Gambling Decree states that license holders may not offer or mediate credit to players. Services such as Klarna Pay Later are therefore technically and legally blocked at legal casinos. Only direct payments, where money is immediately debited from the account, are permitted under the Remote Gambling Act (Wet KOA). This rule prevents players from wagering money they do not yet own. This is an important measure for responsible gaming.

The discussion surrounding bet365 and Klarna led to political intervention in recent years. Parliamentary questions from GroenLinks-PvdA and ChristenUnie demanded an investigation into payment providers that potentially offered credit facilities to gamblers. This pressure strengthened the Kansspelautoriteit's supervision of compliance with the credit ban. Although bet365 holds a license, the confusion surrounding their payment options led to tighter controls on all operators under the Remote Gambling Act (Wet KOA).

The use of Klarna for gambling purposes with Dutch license holders is limited to direct payments (Sofort), not deferred payment. Legal casinos block transactions falling under Merchant Category Code 7995 for credit products. Players who still attempt to gamble on credit via offshore sites run major financial risks without the protection of the Kansspelautoriteit. For safe gaming behavior, alternatives such as iDEAL or PayPal are better than risky forms of credit.

Technical functioning: Klarna Pay Now versus Pay Later

The risks of gambling on credit with Klarna are technically prevented by a strict separation between payment variants. Only Klarna Pay Now, which immediately debits money, is allowed at legal operators. Klarna Pay Later and paying afterwards are prohibited because they extend credit. This goes against Article 4.2 of the Remote Gambling Decree. This technical blockade makes it impossible to accumulate debt within the licensed market by gambling with borrowed money.

The difference between Klarna Pay Now and Pay Later

Klarna is a payment provider with multiple services. The application differs per variant. Klarna Pay Now is a direct payment method where the amount is immediately debited from the bank account, similar to iDEAL. This variant is the only accepted form for gambling transactions in the Netherlands because no credit relationship is established.

Klarna Pay Later is functionally equivalent to paying afterwards. Klarna postpones the payment and effectively grants credit to the user. Because the Remote Gambling Decree explicitly prohibits extending credit for gambling, legal casinos are not allowed to offer this option. Using pay later options when gambling significantly increases the risk of problematic gaming behavior and financial difficulties. Players should know that only direct payments, such as via Sofort or Pay Now, comply with Dutch legislation.

How MCC 7995 blocks transactions

The enforcement of this ban is automated via Merchant Category Code (MCC) 7995. This code identifies transactions to gambling businesses within the payment network. When a player attempts to pay a merchant with this code, Klarna checks the system in real time. If the chosen payment method is a form of credit such as Pay Later, the transaction is blocked.

Sofort, which has been integrated into Klarna since 2017, bypasses this problem because it exclusively facilitates direct bank transfers. By linking MCC 7995 to a block on credit options, Klarna ensures that players can only play with their own, immediately available funds. This technical firewall ensures that the 'pay later' button is not available at legal operators. In this way, the integrity of the market is safeguarded.

Klarna does not block all transactions to gambling sites, but specifically those that imply credit. At licensed casinos, Klarna is often only in limited availability due to strict rules from Dutch banks and payment providers. Only when the transaction meets the requirement of direct payment (Pay Now) is it allowed through. Illegal or offshore operators sometimes try to bypass these blocks, but this carries major risks for the player. The Kansspelautoriteit closely monitors the offering of credit. Any form of paying afterwards in gambling remains controversial and unregulated outside of the licensed market. For safe transactions, methods like iDEAL and direct Klarna payments remain the recommended standard.

Financial and psychological risks of gambling credit

The risks of gambling on credit with Klarna are serious. Paying afterwards lowers the barrier to losing and creates direct debt. Legal operators block this option, but with offshore platforms you run the risk of a negative registration in the Credit Register. This can block your future borrowing capacity for years.

What are the risks of gambling on credit?

Paying afterwards uncouples the expenditure from the moment of consumption. The 'pain of paying' effect disappears as a result. Addiction experts warn that this mechanism stimulates prolonged play: players continue while already losing because the financial pain is postponed. This quickly leads to problematic gambling behavior, where the player loses overview and spends money that is not available. It feels like playing with 'non-existent money'. This reinforces the illusion of control and fuels gambling addiction.

Consequences for your BKR registration

Those who still pay afterwards with Klarna via an offshore operator build up a consumer credit that falls under financial supervision. In case of non-payment, the Central Credit Registration Office (BKR) registers this default. An outstanding debt at the Credit Register has direct consequences: it affects your risk profile at banks and can block a mortgage application. The registration remains visible for years, even after repayment. This demonstrates how closely BNPL credit is related to your general financial health.

The pitfall of 'playing with non-existent money'

Gambling with borrowed money is never wise because the player's risk profile increases exponentially without any added chance of winning. The Central Credit Registration Office (BKR) acts as a watchdog for these financial obligations. A negative code here is often the start of a downward spiral. Players must realize that every transaction via 'Pay Later' is a loan, not free play money. Protect your future by playing exclusively with your own funds and seeking help from Loket Kansspel if the pattern of credit use is broken.

Safe play: alternatives and tools

The risks of gambling on credit with Klarna are real, but avoidable. Consciously choose direct payment methods and protective registers. Licensed casinos only offer direct payment methods such as iDEAL, which prevents debt accumulation. For those who notice they are losing control, there are powerful tools such as Cruks for self-exclusion and Loket Kansspel for free, anonymous support.

How do I prevent gambling addiction when using credit?

The central register for preventing addiction is Cruks (Centraal Register Uitsluiting Kansspelen). This system, managed by the Kansspelautoriteit, links players who self-exclude to all legal operators in the Netherlands. Registration in Cruks means that you can no longer play at licensed casinos. This forms an effective barrier against impulsive behavior and further financial damage. The relationship between Cruks and addiction prevention is direct: by participating, you block access to platforms where the risks of gambling on credit with Klarna or other forms of game interruption can occur.

In addition to technical blockades, psychological support is required. Loket Kansspel is the primary point of contact for assistance. This organization offers free and anonymous advice via phone and chat, and works closely with specialized institutions such as Verslavingszorg Nederland (Addiction Care Netherlands). While Cruks physically restricts access, Loket Kansspel provides the mental tools to address the underlying causes of gambling behavior. Contact these services as soon as gambling behavior disrupts your daily life.

Safe payment alternatives without credit risk

For safe gaming behavior, direct payment methods are the only responsible choice within the Dutch legal framework. iDEAL is the standard in this regard: it debits money directly from your account, ensuring you never play with borrowed money. Other permitted methods at licensed operators are Bancontact and Sofort (often integrated via Klarna Pay Now), which also offer no deferred payment.

Using these methods eliminates the danger of unmanageable debt. At legal casinos such as bet365, 'paying afterwards' via Klarna is technically blocked. If you do see this option, you are likely playing at an illegal operator without a Ksa license. Therefore, always choose options that guarantee transparency regarding your available balance. By opting for direct debits, you maintain control over your budget and prevent small losses from growing into major financial problems.

Help with financial problems due to gambling

If gambling has already led to financial stress, there are specialized agencies for debt relief and budget management. NIBUD (National Institute for Family Finance Information) offers practical tools and advice to gain insight into your finances and address structural payment issues. Their guidelines help in setting up a realistic budget that takes fixed expenses into account, without room for risky spending.

In addition, the Consumentenbond (Dutch Consumers' Association) plays an important role in safeguarding consumer rights and identifying unfair practices in the financial sector. They provide information on consumer rights in the case of problematic debt and offer legal background for conflicts with providers. For acute debt situations, it is advisable to contact a municipal debt counselor, who often collaborates with these organizations. Do you recognize patterns of borrowing money to finance gambling? Seek professional help immediately before the situation escalates into unpayable debts or legal consequences.

About This Article - Editorial Standards

Author: Sarah Weber | Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst
Compliance Review: Dr. Markus Hoffmann | Senior iGaming Compliance Analyst
Date of Issue: 2026-08-25.

This article on "risks of gambling on credit with Klarna" was written by Sarah Weber and factually reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content for changes in regulation, licensing and bonus terms. All references to licences, regulators and statutes link to public sources (the local gambling regulator, the applicable local gambling statute).

About the Author

8+ years reviewing casinos, 200+ personally tested platforms across the EU and globally. Former member of the eCOGRA Player Advocacy Program (2018-2022). Specialty: wagering requirements, withdrawal workflows, customer-support evaluation.

About the Reviewer

12+ years in the iGaming industry, including 5 years as a compliance consultant for licensed operators across multiple regulated markets. PhD in Economic Mathematics. Focus areas: bonus mathematics, wagering analysis, and player-protection systems.

Responsible Gambling

Gambling can be addictive. If you feel you are losing control of your play, please reach out to the relevant problem-gambling helpline or use the national self-exclusion register (the relevant national self-exclusion register). Set personal deposit and loss limits BEFORE you play with real money. Operator pauses and cooldown tools exist to keep play sustainable.

Legal Notice

The information in this article is provided for editorial and comparison purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Players are responsible for compliance with local regulations.