Holland Casino has officially commenced construction on a new venue located at Businesspark Ter Borch, following the tragic fire that destroyed its previous Groningen site in 2017.
The ground-breaking ceremony, held on Friday, gathered employees of Holland Casino, construction partners, and local officials to mark this pivotal moment. Petra de Ruiter, the chief executive of Holland Casino, expressed her enthusiasm, highlighting the importance of this step after lengthy preparations.
"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."
Marcel Thijsen, the mayor of Tynaarlo, underscored the importance of this development for the region, noting that it could contribute to the growth of Businesspark Ter Borch. The venue's strategic location near the A7 highway is anticipated to enhance accessibility for visitors from Groningen, Drenthe, and nearby areas.
Holland Casino aims for the new facility to prioritize sustainability, accessibility, and hospitality, with design elements that reflect modern guest preferences. However, details regarding the construction timeline, anticipated opening date, capacity, and overall cost have not yet been disclosed.
Richard van den Broek, an employee present at the ceremony, conveyed his excitement, sharing that he felt a sense of relief that the project was finally underway. "I can’t wait to walk in here," he remarked.
Holland Casino, which is the state-owned operator of the Netherlands’ regulated casino market, has been without a permanent venue in Groningen since the fire in 2017. In 2023, the company designated Businesspark Ter Borch as the preferred site for relocation.
Approximately a 40-minute drive from the German border, the new casino location is strategic. In a conversation with iGB in September, de Ruiter noted that German tourists represent a crucial audience for Holland Casino’s physical gaming offerings.
"German visitors are really interested because we have a different offer from most of the German casinos," de Ruiter explained. "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."
As it lays the groundwork for its new physical venue, Holland Casino has simultaneously secured a five-year extension of its online gambling license. This extension guarantees that its online gaming offerings will be available in the regulated Dutch market until at least 2031.
De Ruiter emphasized the commitment to ensuring a safe and responsible online gaming environment, stating that player protection remains the top priority. "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.
