After 3 years, Tombola will stop with bingo in the Netherlands

Tombola, one of the largest online bingo platforms in the Netherlands, will withdraw from the Dutch market on October 1, 2024. Tombola’s parent company, Flutter Entertainment, points to the stricter playing limits and the upcoming increase in gambling tax as the main reasons for their decision. This news means that Dutch players will have to look for alternatives to their favorite bingo game after this date.

Why is Tombola closing in the Netherlands?

On October 1, 2024, the rules for legal online casinos in the Netherlands will become stricter, and that will entail costs for providers such as Tombola. These costs, in combination with the increase in gambling tax to 37.8%, make it financially unfeasible for parent company Flutter to continue Tombola in the Netherlands.

Country manager Marc Smit explains to Casinonieuws that the decision was difficult, but ultimately necessary. The technical investments needed to comply with the new regulations could be better deployed in larger or newer markets. Smit understands the decision, but calls it “painful” because the Dutch bingo community was thriving.

What will happen to the games and players?

Tombola has announced that players can play their favorite bingo and arcade games until September 30, 11:00. After that, these games will no longer be offered. The popular game Bingo90 will remain available until the progressive jackpot is won. Logging in and cashing out funds is possible until October 27, 2024. After that date, all remaining funds will be automatically transferred to the linked bank accounts of the players.

The Dutch Gaming Authority (Ksa) has confirmed that there are no risks for players regarding their funds. The Ksa monitors whether everything is handled properly financially and remains available for reports of any irregularities.

Alternatives for Tombola’s bingo players

The departure of Tombola leaves a void for Dutch bingo enthusiasts. There are still a few alternatives. Unibet and bet365 will both continue to offer online bingo, with Unibet using its own platform and bet365 using Pragmatic Play software. In addition, Winnitt, a new brand of the Dutch Lottery, wants to offer bingo via the Playtech platform from October 2024.

It is a bitter pill to swallow for the bingo community in the Netherlands, but there are still a few options left. Unibet in particular is known for its active promotions and various bingo variants.