Tombola is set to exit the Netherlands at the end of September after three years of operating in the licensed market.
According to a statement on the bingo-led operator’s Dutch site, the decision is related to deploying company resources into “larger or new markets”.
The exit has also been accelerated by “stricter regulations and gambling tax increases”, with the new right-wing coalition government planning to up the tax rate to 37.8%.
The increase from the existing 30.5% rate is expected to raise an additional €202m for state coffers, although industry figures have been dismissive of such an approach and warned the black market could benefit from the hike.
The tombola site will officially close on 1 October, with players able to access games up until 11am local time on 30 September.
Players will only be able to make deposits up until 26 September, with tombola confirming that should customers still have funds in their account on 30 September, the monies will be automatically returned.
However, users can log in from 1 October to 27 October to change their respective IBAN account details to ensure returns and withdrawals are directed to their correct accounts.
Tombola has confirmed bonus funds cannot be paid out and must be used before 30 September.
The exit notice on the operator’s site also directs existing players to engage with other licensed bingo firms in the market.
Tombola lists bet365, Kindred Group’s Unibet and new entrant WinnItt Bingo as alternative options for players.
Tombola was granted a Dutch licence on 1 October 2021 and was one of the initial wave of operators to launch in the newly regulated market.
The firm’s licence would run until 30 September 2026 had tombola not confirmed its exit, with that covering its website, iOS and Android products.
A statement from tombola read: “We understand that this is drastic news for our players. The Netherlands has a great bingo community. We will miss our players very much.
“How things will continue with the bingo enthusiast in the Netherlands will become clear in the coming period.”
Flutter acquired tombola, which is based in Sunderland, in a £402m deal in November 2021.
The deal saw Flutter significantly increase its recreational customer base and take a podium position in the UK’s online bingo market.
The post Tombola to exit the Netherlands amid increased regulatory headwinds first appeared on EGR Intel.