Challenges Persist for Netherlands Land-Based Casinos, Recent KSA Data Reveals
Ongoing Financial Challenges in the Netherlands’ Land-Based Casino Industry
The most recent annual Market Scan from the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) reveals a notable decline in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for land-based casinos, with earnings dropping by approximately EUR 61 million (about $70.6 million). This signals renewed difficulties for land-based gambling operators in the country.
Comparing Current Performance to Pre-Pandemic Levels
Despite a stabilization of the broader gambling market, revenue from land-based casinos has yet to bounce back to figures seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. When evaluated against 2019 data, land-based casino GGR is still down by 27%, highlighting persistent long-term challenges facing venues that rely on foot traffic. This downturn reduced the segment’s economic contribution to around EUR 1.30 billion (close to $1.50 billion), a small decrease from EUR 1.36 billion (approximately $1.57 billion) the previous year, adjusted for inflation.
Contraction in Gaming Halls and Venue Capacities
The gaming halls sector also experienced a significant reduction, with the number of operating locations falling from 217 in 2023 to 196 in 2024. Additionally, the total machine player positions in these halls dropped from 24,692 to 20,997 over the same timeframe. Holland Casino, which holds the exclusive license for land-based casinos in the Netherlands, saw a slight decrease in gaming positions to 6,233 by the end of 2024. The operator’s table game offerings also diminished, shrinking to 364 tables spanned across 14 venues. A key factor in this decline was the permanent closure of the Zandvoort casino facility on January 31, 2024, which had only a few tables remaining.
Rising Preference for Online Gambling Among Dutch Players
National gambling behaviours show a gradual pivot towards online gambling, even though the overall expenditure remains below the European average. Data from the first half of 2025 indicates a continued growth in illegal online gambling in the Netherlands. In contrast, the licensed gambling market is contracting, affected by the decline of physical gambling venues.
Growth of Unregulated Online Gambling and Regulatory Impacts
For the first time since online gambling was legalized in 2021, the unregulated online gambling sector has grown larger than the licensed market segment. This development has raised concerns across various stakeholders. Consumer groups are also increasing scrutiny of authorized online gambling platforms, citing issues such as misleading bonus offers and insufficient player protections that require attention.
International Patterns and New Responsible Gaming Policies
The trends observed in the Netherlands reflect global patterns where tighter regulation often correlates with a rise in unlicensed gambling activities. KSA attributes part of the recent market shifts to the introduction of the Responsible Gaming Policy 2024 in October 2024. This policy established stricter responsible gaming measures and new player spending limits, which have influenced market dynamics and participation.
