Holland Casino has officially commenced construction of a new venue at Businesspark Ter Borch, nearly six years after its previous Groningen site was devastated by a fire in 2017.
The ground-breaking ceremony took place on Friday, attended by company staff, construction partners, and local officials. Petra de Ruiter, the chief executive of Holland Casino, highlighted the importance of this project as a major stride forward after extensive planning.
"Today, together, we are taking an important step towards the future of Holland Casino Groningen," de Ruiter stated. "Here, we are not only building a new building, but also a place where guests feel welcome and where our employees can work with pride."
Tynaarlo's mayor, Marcel Thijsen, emphasized the project's significance for the region, noting that it could bolster the growth of Businesspark Ter Borch. The site's advantageous location near the A7 motorway is expected to facilitate access for visitors from Groningen, Drenthe, and nearby areas.
Holland Casino aims to design the new venue with a focus on sustainability, accessibility, and hospitality, aligning with modern guest preferences. However, the company has not revealed details regarding the construction timeline, anticipated opening date, venue capacity, or overall costs.
Richard van den Broek, one of the employees present at the ceremony, expressed his excitement, saying, "I am relieved that it is finally starting and can’t wait to walk in here."
Since the devastating fire in 2017, Holland Casino has functioned without a permanent facility in Groningen. The company announced Businesspark Ter Borch as its chosen new location in 2023. This site in northern Netherlands is approximately a 40-minute drive from the German border. In a conversation with iGB in September, de Ruiter mentioned that German tourists constitute a key demographic for Holland Casino’s physical venues.
"German visitors are really interested because we have a different offer from most of the German casinos," she explained. "Our land-based casinos feature table games, slots, occasional bingo, and poker on select evenings, along with restaurants and entertainment options. For many German guests, it’s a more engaging outing compared to some German casinos."
In conjunction with the establishment of its new physical location, Holland Casino has also secured a five-year extension of its online gambling license. This extension ensures its online gambling offerings will be available in the regulated Dutch market until at least 2031.
De Ruiter reinforced that Holland Casino remains committed to providing a safe and responsible online gambling environment, prioritizing player protection. "At the same time, it remains essential that the regulated market is attractive enough to keep players away from unregulated providers, where supervision and protection are lacking," she concluded.
