The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) chair Michel Groothuizen has said headwinds for operators are making firms question the business case for remaining in the market.
The likes of tombola and LiveScore Bet pulled out of the Dutch market since it went live in 2021, although 888 did return in partnership with ComeOn Group.
The GGR tax rate in the Netherlands jumped to 34.2% in January and will rise to 37.8% in January 2026.
Coupled with advertising restrictions and deposit limits, the KSA chief said it was clear the market was less palatable to licensees than previously.
Writing in his latest blog, Groothuizen said: “This has undoubtedly diminished the attractiveness of the Dutch market for potential licence holders.
“The upcoming licensing round will determine which providers want to continue investing in the Netherlands.”
The regulator chief also warned of the growing threat posed by the unlicensed sector and the need to work collaboratively with international partners.
He added that the black market operators’ “creativity, audacity and aggression knows no bounds”.
Groothuizen noted that of the top largest black market sites in the UK, six are in the top 10 largest illegal firms targeting the Netherlands.
The KSA and the UK Gambling Commission penned a memorandum of understanding earlier this year to share intelligence and data.
The chair said unlicensed operators are targeting consumers via “social media, hacked websites and influencers”, as he doubled down on his call for a “gambling Interpol”.
Groothuizen made the argument for an international body during his IAGR speech last month.
Continuing his blog, he said: “It’s an uphill battle in any case, but only together do we have a chance of maintaining a healthy, safe and fair online gambling market and preventing the illegal sector from winning the game.”
The KSA chief also conceded that regulatory efforts made in the Netherlands to protect consumers could come at a cost of black market leakage.
While channelisation based on the number of users remains above 90%, based on GGR, the black market is now larger than the regulated sector.
He added: “Striking the right balance remains challenging. A total ban seems appealing, but it also has significant drawbacks, especially since it would primarily benefit the illegal market.
“We face a dilemma: we want strict regulations in the Netherlands to protect players, but those strict regulations could drive players, especially the most active among them, even more towards illegal platforms, where there’s no protection.”
The post KSA chair says tax rises will see operators question Dutch presence first appeared on EGR Intel.
Michel Groothuizen insists the black market continues to pose a threat for the Netherlands and doubles down on calls for a “gambling Interpol”
The post KSA chair says tax rises will see operators question Dutch presence first appeared on EGR Intel.