Teun Struycken, the Dutch minister for legal protection, has revealed that the government is reviewing the country’s gambling policies and plans to present a revised framework to the House of Representatives by March 2025. The minister announced this while addressing concerns raised by MP Michiel van Nispen about the country’s gambling market.
Nispen drew attention to differences between the land-based and online gambling markets. According to him, the Remote Gambling Act has increased competition in the online market, but it has also resulted in “undesirable financial incentives”. On the other hand, the state-owned monopoly Holland Casino continues to control the land-based sector.
He further questioned whether more licensed operators should be allowed to compete in the land-based sector. In response, Struycken acknowledged the need to modernise the framework, which is currently based on a 2011 policy. He suggested that the revised policy could include measures to encourage competition in the land-based gambling business.
“By March 2025, I will send my vision on the future development and objectives of gambling policy,” Struycken said.
“In this, I will include considerations regarding competition in the market.”
The issue of state ownership of Holland Casino also came under scrutiny. Van Nispen raised concerns about whether the state’s involvement is still necessary. Struycken referred to a May 2023 evaluation, which concluded that state ownership is “not strictly necessary.”
Struycken explained that state ownership helps achieve gambling policy goals such as tackling addiction, protecting consumers and addressing gambling-related crime. However, he admitted that it limits market competition.
“The evaluation established that the added value of shareholding is not weighty enough that further exploration of other future options would be ruled out in advance,” Struycken said.
The minister also touched on the proposed increase in gambling tax, a move that could impact Holland Casino’s operations. Reports suggest the tax hike might lead to branch closures or reductions in its online offerings. The state secretary for taxation is expected to update the House on this matter before the summer of 2025.
Van Nispen called for greater clarity in distinguishing between online and land-based gambling under the new policy. Struycken confirmed that this distinction will be a priority.
“I will address the question of where I want to make a further distinction between different games of chance,” he said.
“An important aspect in this is the risk of addiction or other gambling-related harm that emanates from certain types of games of chance.”
Struycken reiterated that changes to the online gambling business would take primacy and promised a comprehensive update to the House in a letter on March 27, 2025.
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