Yvon Jansma, a respected figure in the Dutch gambling industry and founder of the Centrum voor Verantwoord Gokken, is not in the habit of jumping to conclusions. In recent days, however, her concerns have reached a critical level.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been so worried about Dutch gambling policy. Sometimes I even stay awake because of it.”
The reason for this anxiety: an explosive combination of a forthcoming increase in tax on gambling (which will reach 37.8% on 1 January) and a rapid growth in illegal gambling, particularly on the Internet. A cocktail that Jansma considers potentially destructive, both for legal players in the sector, but above all for the most vulnerable players.
Taxation undermines legal operators
For several months now, licensed gambling operators in the Netherlands have been sounding the alarm. The steady increase in taxation, which is supposed to bolster government coffers and regulate the sector, is now threatening the viability of legal casinos.
Yvon Jansma puts it bluntly:
“For a legal casino, this has a huge impact. An illegal casino is obviously not affected.”
This imbalance undermines fair competition. Licensed casinos, which apply strict rules, find themselves weakened in the face of illegal sites that are often far more attractive to the general public, particularly in terms of winnings, bonuses and non-existent limits.
Ineffective sanctions against illegal casinos
The regulatory tools available today seem derisory in the face of the scale of the phenomenon. A recent Woo request filed by CasinoZorgplicht.nl revealed a disturbing fact: the fines imposed by the Kansspelautoriteit on illegal casinos are rarely paid.
Worse still, illegal platforms continue to flourish. Expert Frank Kruit illustrates how these sites use shocking marketing techniques to attract players.
Collective responsibility at the heart of the debate
At the heart of Jansma’s message is an unshakeable conviction: player protection cannot be sacrificed on the altar of taxation. It recognises the need to combat gambling addiction, and is actively campaigning for the obligations of legal operators to be strengthened. But it warns that if legal operators disappear under the weight of taxes, the whole edifice of protection will collapse.
If the current trend continues, Dutch gamblers could find themselves increasingly exposed to an opaque, uncontrollable and potentially criminogenic parallel market. Jansma urges the government to reassess its strategy before it is too late.