Increase in gambling tax: “The end of the legal offline gambling sector”
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17 May 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes The gambling tax in the Netherlands will be increased again from 30.5% to 37.8%.
This would be the end for the legal offline gambling sector, according to VAN Kansspelen. A further increase in tax will lead to closures and job cuts.
The decision to increase the gambling tax again is met with fierce protest from trade organization VAN Kansspelen. The sector fears a real devastation, resulting in illegal gambling and crime.
End of the legal offline gambling sector
According to VAN Kansspelen, an increase in the gambling tax from 30.5% to 37.8% would be the end for the legal offline gambling sector. Slot machine arcades and small casinos have been operating at a loss for years and have seen their turnover fall by 29%. A further increase in taxes will lead to closures and layoffs.
Uprise Illegal gambling as the legal sector is weakened
VAN Kansspelen calls the plans “socially irresponsible” and “reckless”. The industry points out that the VVD and coalition partners PVV, NSC and BBB only a few months ago supported an amendment to lower the gambling tax for offline gambling establishments.
Socially irresponsible
VAN Kansspelen calls the plans “socially irresponsible” and “reckless”. The industry points out that the VVD and coalition partners PVV, NSC and BBB supported an amendment a few months ago to reduce the gambling tax for offline gambling establishments.
Initially promises of a gambling tax reduction
The trade association is surprised by the coalition’s unexpected 180-degree turn. “This is the opposite of the security of existence that they say they stand for for citizens,” said chairman Henry Meijdam. “And it has absolutely nothing to do with good governance.”