NOC*NSF: top-level sport is in danger of collapsing without extra money
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26 Nov 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes At the NOC*NSF General Meeting, held at Papendal, the sports organisation openly expressed its concerns about the financial future of sports in the Netherlands. One of the biggest pain points? The increase in gambling tax. This will gradually increase to 37.8% in 2026 and will put considerable pressure on income from lottery contributions. According to NOC*NSF, this could cost the sports sector around twelve million euros per year.
Anneke van Zanen-Nieberg, chair of NOC*NSF, explained that there are still major challenges, despite the good news that the VAT increase for sports will not go ahead for the time being.
“The higher gambling tax continues to hang over us like a dark cloud.”
Anneke van Zanen-Nieberg
Sports financing is in jeopardy
General director Marc van den Tweel agreed with Van Zanen-Nieberg’s concerns and gave a clear picture of what this financial pressure means for the sports world. He pointed out that the current plans of the government are creating an unstable future. Things are looking bleak, especially after 2025.
“Healthcare costs are rising, young people are struggling mentally, and we are getting older. Sports can do so much to alleviate these problems. But there needs to be money to make this possible.”
Marc van den Tweel
He called for cooperation with other social organizations to tackle these challenges together.
Top-level sports and recreational sports are feeling the blows
The consequences of the higher gambling tax are not limited to lottery contributions. Municipalities must also surrender 10% of their subsidies for sports clubs. This is a hard blow for recreational sports, where many local clubs depend on this financial support. In addition, the BOSA budget, intended for improving and making sports facilities more sustainable, is being further reduced.
Van den Tweel also warned about the impact on top-level sports. With the current budget, he expects that the Dutch team will perform less well during the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 than in Paris. Director André Cats calculated that an additional twenty million euros is needed to maintain the level of top-level sport.
Hope for political support and change
Despite the challenges, NOC*NSF continues to fight for the future of sport. Although the contribution from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) will remain the same for next year, there is no guarantee for the years after that. Van den Tweel indicated that they will continue to lobby for better support and that they hope for help from opposition parties.
“Sports should not become a luxury product that is only accessible to a small group. We will do everything we can to prevent this.”
Marc van den Tweel