Rising tax rates and growing regulatory pressures have had a detrimental effect on the Dutch iGaming industry. Unlicensed gambling operators have recently gained a stronger foothold in the Netherlands, raising concerns within the regulated iGaming industry. iGaming stalwarts have decided to address the primary issues at the 2025 Gaming in Holland (GiH) Conference.
Highlights of the Story
- The event will host several sessions for preventing the further rise of illegal gambling operations in the Netherlands.
- According to the Dutch gambling regulator, half of all online gambling revenue goes to unlicensed platforms.
- Restrictions like high taxes, the ban on gambling promotions, and the introduction of depository limits have choked legal operators.
Dynamic Sessions Planned at the GiH 2025
The Gaming in Holland Conference 2025 is scheduled for Thursday, June 5. The event will feature several sessions evaluating the reasons behind the growing popularity of illicit gambling operations and how to prevent them.
Growing regulatory pressures and high tax rates are the leading causes behind the rise in black market gambling operations. According to the Netherlands Gambling Authority, illicit iGaming operators account for approximately 51% of annual player activity.
Among the notable speakers, Nederlandse Loterij CEO, Arjan Blok, will speak about his company’s civil proceedings against a Costa Rica-based operator. Renske Fikkers of the Netherlands Gambling Authority will elaborate on the regulator’s plans to combat illegal gambling.
Josh Hodgson, the COO of H2 Gambling Capital, will share his insights into the current size and growth projections of illegal gambling operations in the Netherlands. And Christian Heins from Tipico will highlight steps on how licensed operators can step up their game by pressurising B2B suppliers.
Current State of the Dutch iGaming Market
Peter-Paul de Goeij, founder of the Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA), recently spoke about the challenges facing the industry. He said:
The Netherlands is a small country. But it has the potential to be a thriving gambling market.
De Goeij made the statement to remind people that despite the country’s modest market size, the Netherlands has several factors going in its favour. These include a dense population, passionate fervour for gambling, and a trillion-dollar economy.
However, the Dutch iGaming market has floundered in recent years instead of flourishing. According to de Goeij, 49% of online gambling revenue currently goes to licensed iGaming operators in the Netherlands. This means offshore gaming platforms swallow a chunk of the profits.
iGaming growth in the country has also taken a hit as a result. While its European neighbours reported an average jump of 15% in 2024, the Dutch online gambling market expanded by a meagre 4.9%. This point toward an alarming trend, which, if left unchecked, could further harm the industry and jeopardise player safety.
According to the European Gambling Market – Key Figures 2025 Edition report by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), the Netherlands’ online gambling revenue surpassed land-based revenue in 2024, with an online market share of just over 50%, positioning it around the EU average and well behind leaders like Sweden and Denmark, where online shares exceed 80%
One of the most significant challenges facing the industry is tax burdens, which could jump to nearly 38% by the end of 2025. The other challenges include the ban on “role model” promotions, a blanket ban on gambling advertisements, and the introduction of affordability checks and deposit limits.
The current state of the Netherlands’ iGaming regulations serves as a cautionary tale for the rest of its neighbours, many of whom are in the middle of updating their gaming laws. Gambling regulators must look at operators as their allies and not enemies, and create an environment for long-term sustainability while prioritising player safety. As a solid example, Finland’s iGaming regulation reforms, set to adopt a more flexible, multi-licensing model, aim to align with EU standards, with a phased rollout starting in 2026 and full market entry for operators and suppliers expected by 2028.