The Dutch government has decided against privatising land-based Holland Casino and the state-owned National Lottery. The officials have clarified that while privatisation is not completely off the cards, such a step would neither be appropriate nor feasible at the moment.
Highlighting the Key Points
- Dutch lawmakers proposed privatisation in the parliament last November.
- The decision to hold on to the gambling operation stems from the government’s focus on public safety.
- The authorities plan to reduce tax burdens on land-based casino operations so that they stay profitable.
Tighter Regulation Following Revised Gambling Policies
In an announcement at the House of Representatives on May 13, Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen, the State Secretary for Taxation and Teun Struycken, the State Secretary for Legal Protection, stated that privatising Holland Casino and Nederlandse Loterij “won’t be feasible or proportional.”
The government plans to retain ownership of both gambling entities for now, which is in line with its broader gambling policies. Plans for the possible privatisation were put forth in the Dutch Parliament in November 2024. The debate was part of the coalition government’s attempt to modernise the Dutch gambling market.
However, this isn’t the first time that the lawmakers have thought about welcoming private players into the business. Back in 2022, the Dutch Ministry of Finance had initiated a proposal to evaluate the future of the state-owned gambling operation. Lawmakers settled for three possible solutions, one of which was privatisation.
While the Nederlandse Loterij’s management seemed keen on full privatisation, there was significant political backlash, especially from the Socialist Party, which filed a petition to block private players from taking over the state-owned government lottery operator.
The motion was eventually rejected under the effective oversight of Marnix van Rij, the then State Secretary. The government soon resumed debating the possibility of complete privatisation. Earlier this year, Van Oostenbruggen promised to clarify the government’s stance on the subject by summer.
Tuesday’s statement confirmed the government’s decision to retain both land-based gambling and the lottery operations for now. Van Oostenbruggen reiterated the importance of government oversight on gambling to minimise associated risks. The State Secretary argued that as a state-owned operator, Nederlandse Loterij provides gamblers with a responsible and safe alternative to private gambling providers.
This approach perfectly aligns with the government’s stance on consumer safety. The State Secretary for Legal Protection had called for stricter regulations and increased vigilance on player protection in an announcement made in February 2025.
Player Safety Takes Precedence
The lawmakers’ decision revolves around the numerous implications of privatisation. For instance, private gambling operators naturally tend to prioritise revenue over public interests. This might lead to cut-throat competition, more aggressive marketing practices, and diminished regard for regulatory statutes.
Van Oostenbruggen argued that private operators generally have a stronger desire to test legal loopholes, fuelled by commercial aspirations. Additionally, the government will need to update existing regulations before privatising Nederlandse Loterij. Solving these potential challenges will take time and can introduce uncertainties in player protection and preventing gambling addiction.
The same boundaries also apply to Holland Casino. Hence, even though discussions were held to privatise the operation, concrete decisions failed to materialise. The land-based casino’s finances have been precarious ever since COVID-19. Recent economic downturns, revised taxation policies, and new regulatory limits on player behaviour have hit revenue hard.
To make matters worse, come January 1, 2026, a 37.8% gambling tax will apply, from the current 34.2%. In response, Holland Casino has been tasked with developing a holistic financial and operational package to ensure long-term business sustainability under the state’s control.