Summary
- The Dutch trade group remains skeptical about whether the government's new measures truly benefit the gambling market.
- VNLOK anticipates a significant decline in tax revenue collected from the gambling sector, posing a serious challenge.
- The trade group is calling for a thorough review of current actions and is once again urging the government to take decisive steps against the illegal gambling market.
VNLOK, a leading trade body in the Netherlands, has released a clear and concise statement casting serious doubt on whether the recent hike in gambling taxes has achieved its intended outcomes.
VNLOK says that the Netherlands is collecting less revenue after the tax hike already
VNLOK has highlighted a significant issue: increasing the gambling tax to 34.2% has actually reduced, not increased, the government's revenue from the sector. They reported that the revenue for the first half of 2025 was €30 million less than the previous year’s figure for the same period. VNLOK insists this is clear evidence that a higher tax rate is ineffective and isn’t enhancing the industry's competitiveness. They are urging immediate action to get the industry back on course. VNLOK proposes freezing the tax rate at 34.2%, urging the government to investigate further to understand the full impact of this decision. In addition, the trade body is calling for more rigorous monitoring of illegal gambling activities, noting that half of all gambling spending is being funneled to offshore websites not regulated by the Dutch Gambling Authority. Beyond addressing the current tax issues, VNLOK advocates for the creation of policies designed to keep players from turning to illegal gambling, which is essential to safeguard the industry’s integrity and sustainability.
Fewer losing accounts, but a predicted drop in tax revenue as well
VNLOK firmly believes that piling on regulations without carefully considering the impacts of each change only strengthens the black market. Yet, it's not entirely fair to point fingers solely at the government. The fact is, the number of accounts losing over €1,000 has decreased, which can't be ignored. Despite these positives, there's a lingering concern that significant sums are funneled into offshore gambling. VNLOK predicts that due to these new regulations, the government is poised to miss out on €200 million in tax revenue in 2025 compared to the previous year. The Netherlands, determined to tackle illegal gambling promotions, is also moving to limit the offshore market’s reach.
