Land-based gambling operators in the Netherlands witnessed a sharp decline in revenue in 2024. The latest report from the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) reveals key insights into the domestic markets, including player behaviour, gambling patterns, and popular verticals. While brick-and-mortar gambling lost its charm, online gambling compensated for the revenue drop, stabilising the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2024.
KSA Report Reveals Decline in Land-based Gambling Revenue: Key Insights
- The KSA’s Market Scan report for 2024 reveals that the GGR from land-based gambling declined by €61 million. This capped the turnover at €1.30 billion, compared to €1.36 billion in the previous year, after adjusting for inflation.
- The report highlights that land-based gambling in the Netherlands is 27% lower than pre-pandemic levels. The number of gaming halls has also decreased from 217 in 2023 to 196 in 2024.
- In comparison, online gambling revenue remained stable, with the GGR dropping by €13 million in 2024. The report hints that the new deposit limit rules introduced in October 2024 contribute to the dismal figures.
Land-based Casino Revenue Yet to Reach Pre-Pandemic Levels
The Dutch gambling market (land-based and remote) generated €4.3 billion in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2024, the same as the previous year. Data from the KSA’s Market Scan 2025 highlights the dire shape of the Dutch land-based gambling market, which has traditionally fared better than online gambling.
Studies indicate that land-based gambling operations have yet to reach the pre-pandemic levels. GGR for land-based gaming was 27% lower in 2024 compared to 2019. In 2024, revenue from these operators dropped 5.5% to €1.30 billion, compared to €1.35 billion in the previous year.
While the KSA has been enthusiastic about the industry’s recovery rate, having taken strict action against illegal gambling operators, data reveal that the actual revenue failed to match the regulator’s overly optimistic projections. Meanwhile, slot machines posted mixed results. Overall slot revenue declined 5.4% to €654.4 million, although machines at Holland Casino venues witnessed a slight increase in revenue to €396.1 million.
The number of gaming halls across the country also declined from 217 in 2023 to 196 in 2024, while the number of player positions contracted from 24,692 to 20,997 during the same period. State-run Holland Casino’s player positions dropped marginally to 6,233. In contrast, the number of machines at bars and restaurants increased by 17.35% to 7,992, offering signs of hope to land-based gambling operators.
The demand for table games decreased slightly during the period, with the revenue dropping 9.3% to €247.6 million. Meanwhile, lotteries retained their popularity, generating €2.42 billion, representing 34% of the total turnover. The online gambling sector was relatively stable, with revenue decreasing 1.1%. While online sports betting revenue increased 17.7%, revenue from land-based operations grew by 27.4%.
State Revenue Takes a Hit as Gambling Taxes Falter
Lower gambling turnover in 2024 had a direct impact on Dutch tax revenue. However, the impact was mitigated by a previous increase in tax rates. The government collected €1.03 billion in taxes, out of which land-based gaming contributed €396 million, down from €401 million in the previous year.
Although Dutch lawmakers have postponed gambling privatisation plans indefinitely, land-based operators need to head back to the drawing boards to keep players from switching over to online casinos. Historically, land-based gambling has enjoyed higher patronage in the Netherlands, and consumer loss figures support that theory.
The report indicates that adults lost an average of €197 on land-based gambling, compared to €101 at online casinos in 2024. While the overall figures are lower than the European average, the pattern suggests that Dutch punters are gradually accepting remote gambling.
The KSA is taking necessary measures to improve coordination with overseas gambling regulators in a bid to prevent unregulated offshore operators from capitalising on the opportunity. The rise in illegal online gambling in the Netherlands coincides with a global trend, prompting authorities to take preventive measures.
The report also revealed that between January and June 2025, licensed operators generated €600 million, a 14% year-on-year (YoY) decline. The report hints that the decline is the result of stricter responsible gambling protocols that the government enforced in October 2024.