Holland Casino Online has secured a five-year licence extension from the KSA. The operator warns that the 37.8% gambling tax rate threatens its ability to keep players in the regulated market.
Holland Casino Online has received a five-year licence extension from the Netherlands Gaming Authority, effective 1 October 2026 through 2031. The renewal comes as the operator faces a 37.8% gambling tax rate on gross gaming revenue, up from 29.5% in 2024. CEO Petra de Ruiter warns the regulated market must remain attractive enough to prevent player migration to unlicensed sites.
- Holland Casino Online Licence Extended to 2031
- The 37.8% Gambling Tax Squeeze
- Why Player Retention Matters
- The Privatisation Reversal
- Frequently Asked Questions
Holland Casino Online has secured a five-year licence extension from the Netherlands Gaming Authority. The renewal runs from 1 October 2026 to 2031. It confirms the state-owned operator’s position as the only Dutch casino brand with both land-based and online licences. However, the extension lands in a hostile tax environment. The Netherlands raised its gambling tax rate to 37.8% of gross gaming revenue in early 2026. That is up from 34.2% in January 2025 and 29.5% before the hike. Holland Casino was among the first operators to warn the increase would erode profit. The first stage of the hike added €13.5 million in costs during the first half of 2025. The full 37.8% rate bites deeper. CEO Petra de Ruiter used the licence announcement to restate her case. She pledged continued commitment to player protection. She also said the regulated market must stay attractive enough to keep players from unlicensed competitors. That balance is under pressure. The Dutch government expects the tax hike to generate an extra €200 million annually between 2025 and 2028. Operators must absorb that cost or pass it to players. Passing it risks pushing players offshore. The Dutch regulatory framework is among Europe’s strictest. The KSA enforces advertising limits, player protection rules, and exclusion registers. Holland Casino Online must comply with all of them while competing against operators who face the same tax but may have deeper pockets.
Holland Casino Online Licence Extended to 2031
The KSA granted the five-year extension on Thursday. The licence covers online casino, sports betting, and poker. It is the second renewal since Holland Casino Online launched in October 2021. The first licence ran for five years. This one matches it.
The timing is strategic. The extension begins on 1 October 2026. That gives Holland Casino Online a full year to prepare under the existing licence. The KSA typically reviews compliance history, player protection measures, and financial stability before renewal. Holland Casino Online passed all criteria.
The operator is unique in the Dutch market. It is the only brand with both a land-based casino monopoly and an online licence. That dual presence creates cross-channel marketing opportunities. It also creates regulatory exposure. Any breach in either channel threatens both.
The 37.8% Gambling Tax Squeeze
The Dutch gambling tax rate has climbed fast. It started at 29.5% before 2025. The first hike pushed it to 34.2% in January 2025. The second stage lifted it to 37.8% in early 2026. That is an 8.3 percentage point increase in roughly 12 months.
Holland Casino felt the impact immediately. The company reported an additional €13.5 million in tax costs during the first half of 2025. That was only at the 34.2% rate. The full 37.8% rate applies from 2026 onward. The incremental cost will be larger.
The Ministry of Finance projected €200 million in additional annual revenue from the hike. That projection covers 2025 through 2028. The money comes from operators. Holland Casino, as the dominant domestic player, pays a disproportionate share. The government acknowledged the burden. It promised to mitigate the impact after reversing the privatisation plan. That mitigation has not yet materialised in a concrete form.
Why Player Retention Matters
De Ruiter’s statement carried a warning. “It remains essential that the regulated market is attractive enough to keep players away from unregulated providers,” she said. That is the core tension in high-tax jurisdictions. Operators must offer competitive odds and payouts while paying a larger share to the state.
The Dutch online market is relatively young. It opened in October 2021. Channelisation, the share of betting that flows through licensed operators, has improved since launch. However, it is not 100%. Estimates suggest 15% to 20% of online gambling still occurs on unlicensed sites. Those sites pay no Dutch tax. They offer better odds. They also lack consumer protections.
The KSA has tried to close the gap. It blocks unlicensed websites. It fines payment processors that serve illegal operators. It runs public awareness campaigns. The results are mixed. High tax rates make the enforcement challenge harder. Players who can access offshore sites have a financial incentive to do so. Holland Casino Online must compete on service and trust. Those are intangible advantages against concrete price differences.
The Privatisation Reversal
The tax hike context includes a political reversal. The Dutch government had planned to privatise Holland Casino. The sale would have raised billions for the treasury. The plan was announced, then abandoned. The government cited market conditions and strategic value.
The reversal left Holland Casino in a difficult position. It remains state-owned. It must pay dividends to the government. It must also absorb the tax hike. A private owner might have negotiated different terms. The state has no incentive to reduce the tax burden on its own asset. It already collects the revenue directly.
The mitigation promise was the government’s concession. It acknowledged the tax hike would strain Holland Casino’s finances. It said it would find ways to offset the impact. No specific measures have been announced. The operator continues to pay the full rate while waiting for relief that may never arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Holland Casino Online’s licence extension?
The Netherlands Gaming Authority granted a five-year extension effective 1 October 2026 through 2031. The licence covers online casino, sports betting, and poker operations.
What is the current Dutch gambling tax rate?
The Netherlands gambling tax rate is 37.8% of gross gaming revenue as of early 2026. It was 29.5% before 2025, then 34.2% from January 2025, before reaching the current level.
How has the tax hike affected Holland Casino?
The first stage of the hike to 34.2% added €13.5 million in costs during the first half of 2025. The operator warned the full increase to 37.8% will cut into profit moving forward.
Why did the Dutch government reverse Holland Casino’s privatisation?
The government abandoned the privatisation plan last year, citing market conditions and strategic value. It promised to mitigate the tax hike impact on the state-owned operator, though no specific measures have been announced.
What is the risk of players moving to unregulated sites?
CEO Petra de Ruiter warns high taxes could push players to unregulated operators. Unlicensed sites pay no Dutch tax and can offer better odds, though they lack consumer protections and regulatory oversight.
How much extra revenue does the government expect from the tax hike?
The Ministry of Finance projected an additional €200 million annually between 2025 and 2028. This revenue comes from all licensed operators, with Holland Casino paying a disproportionate share as the dominant domestic player.
This article has been thoroughly researched and reviewed by the CasinoBait editorial team to ensure accuracy and relevance for Asian casino players.
