Holland Casino CEO Petra de Ruiter has slammed the gambling tax increases in the Netherlands as “irresponsible” and called on government to reassess the policy.
The GGR tax rate in the market rose from 30.5% to 34.2% in January 2025, before jumping to 37.8% at the start of this year.
Holland Casino runs a small online operation alongside its land-based portfolio. Mitigations against the tax hikes saw some casinos shutter last year.
The operator also made some organisational changes at its head office to cut costs.
The CEO’s comments came after Holland Casino published its full-year 2025 report, with online revenue slipping from €85.2m to €60.5m (£52.5m).
Despite the decline, the report noted that Holland Casino took market share last year, as the wider sector shrunk amid a growing black market.
The company also said its revenue had stabilised since the introduction of net deposit limits in Q4 2024.
Customers aged over 25 are restricted to a €700 net deposit limit per month, while those aged 18 to 24 are limited to just €300 per month.
Group revenue was up slightly from €768.5m to €799.9m.
Bosses said the cost-cutting measures, as well as higher revenue from land-based operations, meant it was able to offset the tax hike and new union-driven wage agreements for staff.
A report from the Netherlands Gambling Authority last week suggested the market was “stagnating”, with black market leakage increasing and channelisation based on spend heading towards 50%.
De Ruiter said: “These results give us some breathing room, but we are not there yet.
“Certainly not in view of the announced second increase in gambling tax to 37.8%. 2026 will once again call for focus and discipline.
“Focus is needed to continue convincing our shareholder, government officials and politicians that this increase is irresponsible and goes against gambling policy. We need discipline to implement new changes within our company.
“I am convinced that together we can stay on this course. With the same commitment and resilience that guided us through 2025, we are preparing Holland Casino for a strong future.”
Ruud Bergervoet, Holland Casino CFO, added: “A significant part of the higher result is the consequence of cost-cutting measures that cannot be repeated every year.
“That is positive, but not a structural solution. We will have to continue investing in efficiency and digitalisation measures, the first effects of which are visible in the figures.
“Further choices and measures remain necessary, certainly given the further increase in gambling tax and autonomous wage cost increases.”
The post Holland Casino CEO slams Dutch tax policy as “irresponsible” first appeared on EGR Intel.
Petra de Ruiter says the operator was able to offset increase in 2025, but new rate of 37.8% implemented in January will be a tough challenge
The post Holland Casino CEO slams Dutch tax policy as “irresponsible” first appeared on EGR Intel.