17 Dec

Gambling News

The Dutch minister intends to formulate a new gaming regulation by March 2025.

Teun Struycken, the Dutch minister for legal protection, announced that the government is developing an updated gaming policy, which is scheduled for presentation to the House of Representatives in March of the following year.
Dutch gambling policy Struycken articulated his remarks in response to enquiries from House member Michiel van Nispen. He was enquired on matters concerning terrestrial gaming, including the suitability of present policies.

Van Nispen stated that the existing Remote Gambling Act has resulted in intense rivalry within the Dutch online sector. He stated that this has consequently generated "undesirable financial incentives" inside the sector.

Van Nispen stated that there is no competition in the terrestrial sector, as Holland Casino maintains a monopoly. Consequently, Van Nispen enquired if additional licensed operators should be permitted to enter this area.

Struycken is developing strategy to tackle this issue, as existing legislation is founded on a policy adopted in 2011. He stated that this might encompass measures pertaining to competitiveness in the terrestrial sector.

“By March 2025, I will submit my vision regarding the future development and objectives of gambling policy,” stated Struycken. “I will incorporate considerations pertaining to market competition.”

Is it possible for the state to relinquish Holland Casino?
Van Nispen also interrogated the state's continuing involvement in Holland Casino. The state possesses Holland Casino; nevertheless, Struycken cited an assessment from May of the previous year that determined this is "not necessary."

Struycken stated that relinquishing its holdings would result in a loss of income for the state, as well as a diminished ability to implement measures addressing gambling-related harm. Nonetheless, he did not dismiss the possibility of the state retracting and liberalising the market.

“The assessment also determined that the value derived from shareholding is insufficient to preclude the consideration of alternative future options,” he stated.

Struycken also recognised the proposed escalation of gambling tax, as the government engages in discussions with Holland Casino over the initiative. A critical analysis indicated that the increase would result in substantial losses for online operators and even compel Holland Casino to shut down branches or discontinue its online services.

Struycken stated that the state secretary for taxation and the tax and customs administration intends to update the house on the developments at Holland Casino prior to the summer of 2025.

Increased differentiation between online and terrestrial gaming
Subsequently, Van Nispen highlighted a concern regarding the clarity of the new policy. He enquired if it would create a distinct differentiation between online gambling and terrestrial gaming.

Struycken posited that the new policy will do this, emphasising the necessity of clarifying the distinctions when discussing matters such as harm and the hazards associated with each form of gambling.

“I will discuss the issue of where I wish to delineate between various games of chance,” Struycken stated. The danger of addiction or other gambling-related harm associated with specific forms of games of chance is a significant consideration.

He stated, “I will elaborate in the letter I will dispatch to the house for the debate on 27 March regarding my perspective on the policy and the areas I believe necessitate modifications.” Modifications concerning the internet gaming sector are my foremost goal.