Interview: Roel Veltmeijer, the driving force behind Gamestate
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30 Jan 2025 •
Reading time: 4 minutes Roel Veltmeijer is the man behind Gamestate, a growing network of arcades in the Netherlands and Europe. In 2024, he became 100% owner of the Veltmeijer Group, a company that his grandfather founded in 1957.
What started with football tables and pinball machines grew into an international chain of modern arcades with more than 50 locations.
“We continue to innovate every year and continue to adapt to the times.”
The rise of Gamestate
When Veltmeijer joined the family business, he saw that the arcade industry had lost its shine.
“Arcades seemed outdated, especially because everyone had game consoles at home. We were mainly active in holiday parks such as Center Parcs, but that was not profitable enough to grow at the time.”
He decided to take on the challenge and traveled to America. In New York, he discovered the packed arcade halls on Times Square and realised that there was still a market.
“I knew straight away: this is also possible in the Netherlands!”
That led to the opening of the first Gamestate in Kerkrade, a bull’s eye.
From Kerkrade to international expansion
The success in Kerkrade gave Veltmeijer the confidence to grow further.
“I didn’t have the money to go to Amsterdam straight away, but Kerkrade offered the perfect opportunity. The Leisure Dome complex gave us the power of collaboration.”
A second branch followed in Rotterdam in 2016, and things moved quickly after that. There are now Gamestate locations in Belgium, Poland, Slovakia and Germany.
“While we are doing this interview, we are building our second Gamestate XL in the heart of Berlin. I am sure it will be a hit straight away.”
Gamestate XL: more than just arcade games
In addition to the standard locations, Veltmeijer is introducing a new concept: Gamestate XL.
“In addition to arcade games, we also offer social games such as virtual darts and shuffleboard. We also have a snack range, because catering is part of it. Running a real kitchen is not my expertise, but a bite to eat and a drink complete the picture.”
About a possible Gamestate Darts competition he says: “Who knows! We keep looking for things that our visitors like.”
Online claw crane: arcade to the digital age
Big news is the upcoming launch of an online Gamestate WebApp.
“We stay far away from the gambling market, but this summer we will come with physical claw cranes that you can operate at home via the app.”
How does it work?
“We have 30 real claw cranes in a warehouse with cameras on them. You play live via the app and if you win a prize, we will send it to you. In addition, players can also exchange their won tickets via the webshop. It feels just like at the fair, but from home.”
Takeover of Circus Zandvoort
In 2024, Veltmeijer took over the iconic arcade Circus Zandvoort. This will be the largest Gamestate in the Netherlands, with more than 2,000 square meters of entertainment.
“We are going to do something special here. In addition to arcade games and social games, we offer corporate packages. Companies can show their own films or presentations here in the associated cinema, and then play games with their team.”
Private individuals can also go here for children’s parties and outings.
“What’s more fun than watching a film first and then diving into the arcade together?”
Fighting the stigma surrounding HIV
In addition to running his company, Veltmeijer is committed to the fight against AIDS. In 2019, he became chairman of the Amsterdam Dinner Foundation.
“When I was asked, it was not openly known that I also had HIV. But in 2022 I decided to share my story. There is still a taboo surrounding HIV.”
With the annual benefit Het Amsterdam Diner he wants to create awareness.
Veltmeijer also travels abroad in his fight against AIDS.
“I see a lot happening, especially in Africa. Young girls who are infected and travel to special locations to secretly take their medication.”
Veltmeijer calls those stories harrowing.
“The fear of those girls is that they will be expelled from their families, so the medication is stored elsewhere. It is time to break the stigma, which is why I continue to commit myself.”