Holland Casino has officially commenced the construction of a new venue at Businesspark Ter Borch, marking a significant moment following the destruction of its previous Groningen location in a fire back in 2017.
A ceremony held on Friday brought together employees, construction partners, and local officials to celebrate this milestone. Petra de Ruiter, the chief executive of Holland Casino, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, "Today, together, we are taking an important step towards the future of Holland Casino Groningen. 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."
Marcel Thijsen, the mayor of Tynaarlo, highlighted the significance of this development for the region, noting its potential to contribute to the growth of Businesspark Ter Borch. The venue's strategic location near the A7 highway is expected to enhance access for visitors from Groningen, Drenthe, and nearby areas.
The new casino will prioritize sustainability, accessibility, and hospitality, designed to cater to modern guest preferences. However, Holland Casino has not yet revealed specifics regarding the construction timeline, expected opening date, capacity, or budget for the project.
Attending the ceremony, employee Richard van den Broek expressed his excitement, saying he was "relieved that it is finally starting and can’t wait to walk in here.”
After the 2017 fire, Holland Casino has operated without a permanent venue in Groningen. In 2023, the company selected Businesspark Ter Borch as its preferred site for relocation.
This new location in the north of the Netherlands is approximately a 40-minute drive from the German border. In an interview with iGB in September, De Ruiter noted that attracting German visitors is crucial for Holland Casino's land-based offerings. She said, “German visitors are really interested because we have a different offer from most of the German casinos. If you look at our land-based casinos, it’s table games, slots, in some cases bingo and, on some evenings, poker. But there are also restaurants, entertainment. It’s an afternoon or evening out. And as I understand from our German guests, it’s a more entertaining evening or afternoon than in some German casinos.”
Alongside the construction of the new venue, Holland Casino has secured a five-year extension of its online gambling license, ensuring that its online offerings will remain available in the regulated Dutch market until at least 2031. De Ruiter reaffirmed the company's commitment to maintaining a safe and responsible online environment, where player protection is a top priority. She added, "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."
