Dutch trade body VNLOK has written a joint-letter to the government, warning its current gambling tax regime has seen tax income from the sector drop by €43.5 million in 2025, compared to the previous year.
The letter, co-signed by an executive from fellow trade-body VAN and state-supported operators Netherlands lottery and Holland Casino, explains the impact recent tax rises have had on casino closures and increased use of illegal gambling sites.
It additionally calls for a review of the current tax regime, to be submitted to parliament no later than Q2.
Future decisions around tax rates, the letter says, should explicitly consider “the relationship between tax burden, illegal supply, player protection and contributions”.
Netherlands gambling tax rise driving players to black market
A phased increase to gambling tax in the Netherlands came into force in January 2025, when a 34.2% rate on GGR was enforced. As a result, August figures from VNLOK suggested overall GGR in the first half of 2025 would be down 25% compared to last year.
A second tax hike came into force this January, bringing the rate up to 37.8% of GGR, one of the highest in Europe.
VNLOK’s letter has warned politicians of the impact the tax rise is having, namely driving players to the black market to avoid increased fees and friction on their part.
“The measure has undesirable effects on player protection, illegal supply and the financing of sport and charities,” the letter notes, insisting the issue needs to be raised ahead of a debate among the government’s tax committee on 12 March.
The letter also flags recent data from the KSA gambling regulator which reported black market sites recorded a higher GGR than licensed sites in the first half of 2025.
The Netherlands welcomed a new coalition government earlier this year, bringing together the centrist D66 Party, the conservative Christian Democrats and the right-wing VVD Party.
In its coalition agreement, the government took a hardline stance against gambling, insisting it would seek to ban all gambling ads in the market.
“We are strengthening the duty of care of online gambling providers, cracking down on illegal gambling sites, and introducing a complete advertising ban on online gambling. We are exploring limiting the number of licenses for online gambling sites,” it said in February.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/finance/tax/vnlok-dutch-sector-calls-for-tax-review/
