Experts webinar: Consequences of gambling tax increase
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25 Nov 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes The gambling industry in the Netherlands is under pressure. Last week during the European Safer Gambling Week it became clear that there is work to be done for both the government and the operators.
Dark clouds are hanging over Holland Casino. Due to the planned increase in the gambling tax to 37.8% from 2026, the future of the state casino is seriously jeopardized. Minister of Finance Eelco Heinen is clear: Holland Casino must come up with creative solutions to absorb the blow. Think of cost savings and perhaps even reorganizations. State aid? That is not being discussed for the time being.
This tax increase also causes another problem. Legal providers will soon be able to offer less attractive bonuses because they entail additional costs. As a result, players are more likely to look for illegal alternatives.
“It is like buying an expensive cinema ticket and then streaming the film at home.”
ChristenUnie and SP want to better regulate gambling behavior
Two Dutch political parties, the ChristenUnie (CU) and the SP, have submitted a bill to better protect gamblers. Their plan includes measures such as banning gambling with a credit card, setting limits on playing time and bets, and stricter controls on advertising. They also want gambling companies to contribute more to the prevention of gambling addiction.
CU and SP have been critical of online gambling for some time. This proposal therefore feels a bit like a statement:
“We don’t want people to get into trouble because of gambling.”
European experts on gambling addiction hold webinar
During the European Safer Gambling Week, experts came together to talk about how to best help problem gamblers. In a webinar, psychologists and care providers shared their insights. They explained how gambling addiction works and how to recognize the behavior of gamblers.
The stories of speakers such as Annika Lindberg and Nathalie Smit were compelling. They showed that gambling addiction is not just a financial issue, but can also cause great emotional damage. Would you like to watch the webinar again? You can do so via this link.