The latest news from the Casino world!
Gambling club noc nsf olympic taxes sport nederlands

NOC*NSF: top-level sport is in danger of collapsing without extra money

At the NOC*NSF General Meeting, held at Papendal, the sports organisation openly expressed its concerns about the financial future of sports in the Netherlands. One of the biggest pain points? The increase in gambling tax. This will gradually increase to 37.8% in 2026 and will put considerable pressure on income from lottery contributions. According to NOC*NSF, this could cost the sports sector around twelve million euros per year.

Anneke van Zanen-Nieberg, chair of NOC*NSF, explained that there are still major challenges, despite the good news that the VAT increase for sports will not go ahead for the time being. 

“The higher gambling tax continues to hang over us like a dark cloud.”

Anneke van Zanen-Nieberg

Sports financing is in jeopardy

General director Marc van den Tweel agreed with Van Zanen-Nieberg’s concerns and gave a clear picture of what this financial pressure means for the sports world. He pointed out that the current plans of the government are creating an unstable future. Things are looking bleak, especially after 2025.

“Healthcare costs are rising, young people are struggling mentally, and we are getting older. Sports can do so much to alleviate these problems. But there needs to be money to make this possible.”

Marc van den Tweel

He called for cooperation with other social organizations to tackle these challenges together.

Top-level sports and recreational sports are feeling the blows

The consequences of the higher gambling tax are not limited to lottery contributions. Municipalities must also surrender 10% of their subsidies for sports clubs. This is a hard blow for recreational sports, where many local clubs depend on this financial support. In addition, the BOSA budget, intended for improving and making sports facilities more sustainable, is being further reduced.

Van den Tweel also warned about the impact on top-level sports. With the current budget, he expects that the Dutch team will perform less well during the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 than in Paris. Director André Cats calculated that an additional twenty million euros is needed to maintain the level of top-level sport.

Hope for political support and change

Despite the challenges, NOC*NSF continues to fight for the future of sport. Although the contribution from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) will remain the same for next year, there is no guarantee for the years after that. Van den Tweel indicated that they will continue to lobby for better support and that they hope for help from opposition parties.

“Sports should not become a luxury product that is only accessible to a small group. We will do everything we can to prevent this.”

Marc van den Tweel

 | 

In the world of Gambling Club, Ron is a dedicated journalist specializing in casino news in the Netherlands. He combines his keen eye for the gambling industry with a deep-rooted passion for sports.

With his inquisitive nature and eye for detail, Ron focuses on describing trends and transformations within the Dutch casino industry, seamlessly integrating his sports expertise.

With years of experience in journalism, ranging from local reporting to large-scale investigative projects, he offers his readers nuanced and in-depth analyses. In this way, he reveals the fascinating intersections between gaming and sports.

Recommended

Raising awareness of gambling: Four key projects supported by the Ksa

In May 2025, the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) announced the funding of four new projects to raise awareness of the risks associated with gambling. These initiatives, supported by the Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF), aim to inform and protect various audiences against the dangers of problem gambling.

Increased vigilance regarding the resale of slot machines

The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), the Dutch gaming regulator, has recently stepped up its surveillance of the resale of second-hand slot machines. This measure follows the closure of several gaming halls as a direct consequence of the increase in tax on gambling. These closures resulted in a large amount of gaming equipment being put up for sale, particularly professional slot machines.

Betsson Group reports an 18% revenue increase in the first quarter 

Betsson Group experienced a promising start of the new year, achieving an 18% revenue growth compared to the same quarter last year, with a revenue of 293,7 million euros.