The legislation will regulate online gaming, currently illegal in the Netherlands, with the aim of combating the Dutch unregulated sector.

Licenses will be granted from mid-2020, providing there are no more delays to the process.

The bill includes a number of responsible gaming measures, while also giving the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA, the Dutch regulator) more powers.

René Jansen, KSA Chairman, called the approval a "milestone," saying in a statement: "The amendment of the Betting and Gaming Act enables the KSA to protect participants in online games of chance.

"This is not possible in an illegal market. With this modernisation of the law, it is more possible to enforce a safe game in a fair market, as players will at least play with a provider with a permit."