Holland Casino Online has officially been granted a five-year extension on its Dutch online gambling licence, as announced by the Netherlands Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) on Thursday. This extension will take effect on October 1, 2026, allowing the operator to continue its operations in the regulated Dutch market until at least 2031.
This renewal signifies the regulator's continued support for Holland Casino Online. Petra de Ruiter, the chief executive of Holland Casino, emphasized the company's dedication to providing a safe and responsible online environment, stating, "player protection always comes first."
De Ruiter also underlined the necessity of maintaining an attractive regulated market to deter players from turning to unregulated providers that lack oversight and safeguards. This concern is shared by the KSA, which has been addressing issues related to alleged violations of advertisement regulations by companies such as Betcity and TOTO Winkel, particularly regarding the recent ban on role models in gambling advertising introduced in June.
The licence extension follows closely on the heels of a significant increase in the Netherlands' gambling tax, which rose to 34.2% of gross gaming revenue (GGR) in January, with a subsequent increase to 37.8% enacted this year. Holland Casino was among the first to voice concerns about the tax rise, arguing that it would hinder profits in the future. Reflecting on the first hike, the operator incurred additional costs of €13.5 million during the first half of 2025.
The government indicated its willingness to discuss the tax hike with Holland Casino following last year’s announcement that the casino would remain public and not be privatised. In September, the Ministry of Finance projected that the tax hike would yield an additional €200 million in annual revenue from 2025 through 2028.
