€230,000 claim rejected: traumatised former croupier loses case against Holland Casino
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6 Dec 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes A former employee of the Valkenburg casino had his claim for €230,000 rejected by the courts. He was seeking this amount for the psychological trauma he allegedly suffered following an armed hostage-taking at the casino in 2014, which he believed was exacerbated by his former employer’s lack of support.
What the court found
In 2014, the Valkenburg establishment was the scene of a violent hostage-taking incident: an armed individual pointed a gun at an employee’s head, in full view of the croupier concerned. According to the employee, this scene was the starting point for his profound psychological distress. The man claims that he never received appropriate psychological help. He cites persistent symptoms, which he attributes to his employer’s lack of support after the event. His objective: to obtain compensation for lasting trauma and moral suffering in the form of £230,000.
The case was examined by a Dutch court. The decision, handed down on 12 November 2025, follows an exchange of written submissions, an oral hearing on 22 October 2025 and closing arguments.
According to the ruling, although the employee did indeed suffer psychological stress as a result of the assault, the employer had offered assistance to all workers, which the croupier in question voluntarily refused. Upon returning from sick leave after six months, he indicated that he did not feel the need to seek further treatment to overcome the initial trauma. In addition, in August 2022, the former employee had taken sick leave following a domestic incident (an attempted break-in and violent confrontation at his home). However, this trauma had not been communicated to the employer, making it impossible for the employer to provide any assistance. According to the court, it was up to the employee to inform his employer if he wished to receive support.
After two years of total disability, and with no possibility of redeployment, Holland Casino legally ceased payment of his salary and proceeded to dismiss him — a decision that the court ruled to be lawful.
Beyond the case: a context of uncertainty for Holland Casino
This lawsuit comes at a difficult time for the company. Since 2024-2025, the group has been facing tougher taxation on gambling. The increase in gambling tax — from 30.5% to 34.2% in January 2025, with a further increase planned for 2026 — has weakened the operator’s finances.
To address this, Holland Casino launched restructuring plans, including job cuts, the closure of certain branches, and adjustments to games (such as reducing the odds of winning at roulette).
Strict justice
In rejecting the €230,000 claim, the court ruled in favour of a strict interpretation of the law: the employer had offered support after the trauma, the employee did not seek it, and the dismissal was therefore justified.
At a time when the group is bearing the brunt of the consequences of higher taxes, increasing competition and inexorable restructuring, this verdict shines a harsh light on the fragile balance between economic profitability and social responsibility — a dilemma faced by more and more casino operators.