Holland Casino is reluctant to offer its staff wage increases unless the Dutch government rows back its plans to hike gambling tax, according to the union representing the operator’s workers.
De Unie said the company had rejected “most” of its proposals, which included wage increases, extra holiday days and working from home policies.
Last September, the Netherlands’ right-wing coalition government outlined plans to increase the rate of tax in two phases.
At the start of this year, the first increase was confirmed, with the rate rising from 30.5% to 34.2% in January. It is expected to increase again next January to 37.8%, which would ensure the Netherlands has one of the heaviest tax burdens in Europe.
Holland Casino has previously publicly slammed the idea, describing it as “irresponsible” in a recent earnings release, when it also explained the tax hike makes investment and innovation “virtually impossible”.
As a result, talks with De Unie over a 2.5% wage increase for Holland Casino staff have proved unproductive, with the operator also rejecting the idea of 5 May becoming a holiday, as well as paying union dues and additional working from home proposals.
The company also wishes to “tighten” the conditions of the RVU [early retirement] scheme.
An update from De Unie claimed that Holland Casino is currently dealing with “material uncertainty” as a result of the tax hikes and must take into account all possible outcomes in order to “safeguard continuity”.
“Given all the uncertainty, Holland Casino proposes to opt for a one-year collective labour agreement,” De Unie wrote.
“Holland Casino indicates that depending on a possible increase to 37.8% gaming tax, there may or may not be room for an increase. Furthermore, Holland Casino wants to fully commit itself this year to further implementing the Occupation & Flexibility project.
“Holland Casino does want to grant a wage increase of 2.5% as of 1 January 2026, if the second increase in gaming tax does not go ahead.”
In response, the union has called on the operator to detail its short and long-term vision regarding wage development, urging Holland Casino to show “perspective” amid fears wages could stall if the second tax hike is implemented next January.
“It cannot be that the consequences of the second increase in gambling tax must be coughed up by employees,” added De Unie.
The union has conceded it expects negotiations to remain difficult for the foreseeable future, but it will continue to communicate with Holland Casino.
While the next round of talks is scheduled for 19 May, De Unie admitted that no party involved in the discussions expect to come to an agreement by then, and that additional time for further negotiations has been pencilled in for June.
The initial tax hike impacted Holland Casino to the extent that the operator requested a six-month payment break from the Dutch Tax Authority linked to debt accrued during the Covid-19 pandemic, alongside an extended repayment plan.
The repayments resumed in April, with the break running from October 2024 until March 2025.
The post Holland Casino rejects trade union wage offer amid tax hike fears first appeared on EGR Intel.
Dutch operator refuses to accept 2.5% wage increase request from De Unie, with “material uncertainty” cited as key factor behind rejection
The post Holland Casino rejects trade union wage offer amid tax hike fears first appeared on EGR Intel.