The Dutch Ministry of Finance and the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) report that the recent two-stage increase in the gambling tax generated significantly lower budget revenues than projected. The policy, implemented in January 2025 and January 2026, failed to meet initial financial targets across both fiscal years.
Tax Adjustments and Revenue Shortfall
The statutory levy was raised from 30.5 percent to 34.2 percent on 1 January 2025, with a further increase to 37.8 percent effective 1 January 2026. Authorities initially forecast supplementary revenues of €108 million for 2025 and €216 million for 2026. Actual additional receipts reached €2 million in 2025 and approximately €57 million in 2026.Market Response and Operator Impact
Officials attribute the shortfall to stricter player protection measures, including mandatory deposit limits ranging from €300 to €700, alongside new restrictions on advertising and sponsorship agreements. Market activity also declined following the peak engagement recorded during Euro 2024, while ongoing regulatory adjustments created operational uncertainty for licensed providers.The revised tax structure directly affected state-owned gaming companies. Holland Casino reported profit reductions of €27 million in 2025 and €54 million in 2026, while Nederlandse Loterij recorded declines of €16 million and €34 million respectively. Annual casino attendance fell by approximately 11 percent, and several physical venues ceased operations due to the increased fiscal burden.
The financial assessment was compiled by the Dutch Ministry of Finance and the KSA. iGaming News presented the findings at the G GATE conference in Tbilisi on 26–27 June.