The new gambling tax is fizzling out: the illegal market is reaping the benefits
Ron Emmerink
26 Jul 2026
The Netherlands raised the gambling tax to 37.8 per cent on 1 January 2026. The government had expected hundreds of millions of euros in additional revenue, but takings are proving to be significantly lower than forecast. This raises the question of whether the increase in the gambling tax is benefiting the Treasury or, on the contrary, is strengthening the illegal market. The country had already raised taxes in 2025.
