Dutch Gambling Companies Worry About 25% Dip in Gross Gaming Revenue
The Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in the Netherlands for the first half of 2025 is expected to be 25% lower than the same period last year, according to industry reports. This decline is primarily attributed to a combination of a gambling tax hike and regulatory restrictions introduced by the Dutch government.
Starting January 1, 2025, the gambling tax was increased from 30.5% to 34.2%, aiming to boost government revenue. However, the increased tax burden has led to a decline in GGR and overall tax income due to falling market activity.
The government’s restrictions also include tougher controls on the legal market and deposit limits for players. These measures have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of gaming locations, with a 9% decline in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024.
The higher tax rates and regulatory measures have had several impacts:
- Reduced player deposits and spending due to deposit limits.
- Made it harder for operators to compete with unregulated or illegal operators.
- Caused a shrinking legal market revenue pool, prompting some operators to exit or reduce operations.
As a result, the online iGaming market in the Netherlands has seen a 25% year-to-date drop in GGR, despite the growth of some operators outside the Dutch market. For instance, Bragg Gaming Group reported a drop in GGR within the Netherlands, despite its overall global growth.
In light of these developments, the trade body for the gambling industry in the Netherlands, the Licensed Dutch Online Gambling Providers (VNLOK), believes that the GGR drop is due to the government’s restrictions on the legal market. The VNLOK also suggests that bigger spenders in the Netherlands have transitioned to offshore gambling sites due to the presence of deposit limits.
Official figures regarding the discrepancy in the gambling market are set to be released this week by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator. The increased tax on GGR is expected to lead to a €200m ($231m) shortfall for the year 2025.
[1] Industry Report on Gaming Revenue in the Netherlands (2025) [2] Bragg Gaming Group Q1 2025 Financial Report [3] Global iGaming Market Analysis (2025)
In the midst of increased taxation and stricter regulations, the licensed Dutch online gambling providers believe that the decline in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in the Netherlands is a direct consequence of the government's restrictions on the legal market. Consequently, due to deposit limits, some high-spending players have resorted to offshore gambling sites to continue their gambling activities.
