The Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, or KSA) has issued a warning that a recent increase in gambling taxes has backfired, weakening the country’s legal gambling sector instead of bolstering public revenue.
Since January 1, 2025, the gambling tax rate rose from 30.5% to 34.2%. According to KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen, this move has led to lower tax revenue and increased pressure on licensed operators.
“The increase in the gambling tax means that gambling providers must take measures to maintain their profitability,” he said. “This can be done in various ways, for example, by reducing costs or increasing income. In the country-specific part of the market, the possibilities for this are limited.”
Land-based gambling operators have been hit hardest. According to the KSA, the number of physical gambling venues in the Netherlands fell by 9% in Q1 2025 compared to the previous quarter, outpacing the annual decline rate of 6% observed between 2020 and 2025.
https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/08/06/113958-dutch-gambling-regulator-sounds-alarm-over-impact-of-tax-hike