Operators Watch as Netherlands Postpones Gambling Legislation

Operators Watch as Netherlands Postpones Gambling Legislation

The current political breakdown in the Netherlands has placed the future of planned gambling reforms under review, raising uncertainty among both operators and lawmakers. A series of regulatory updates tied to the Remote Gambling Act, originally expected to be introduced to Parliament this year, may now be postponed indefinitely due to the collapse of the four-party coalition government.

Earlier this year, State Secretary for Legal Protection Teun Struycken indicated that a legislative proposal would be submitted in 2024. However, this path has become unclear following a major political rift that has led to the dissolution of the governing coalition. Comprising the VVD, PVV, BBB, and NSC, the coalition was formed after prolonged negotiations but proved unable to maintain cohesion. The trigger for the collapse came this month, when the PVV party, led by Geert Wilders, exited the alliance, effectively ending its majority.

While the remaining parties could continue under a minority cabinet led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof, attention has now shifted toward the possibility of a general election being scheduled sooner than originally planned. Observers anticipate that a vote could be held by October, nearly two years ahead of the next expected cycle.

The instability leaves little room for progress on pending legislation, including regulatory changes outlined in response to a review of the Remote Gambling Act. That recent review concluded that player safeguards were not functioning as intended. Specific attention was drawn to the limited role of addiction prevention professionals, the loose configuration of personal spending limits, and the delegation of oversight responsibilities to operators themselves. These findings suggested that the current regulatory structure may not be sufficient in managing player conduct or identifying signs of problematic gambling.

Struycken, an independent in the government, had been tasked with shaping the reform bill and was expected to present new restrictions targeting high-risk verticals such as online slots. Among the expected measures were a higher minimum age for participation in certain games and new restrictions on gambling-related advertising. Whether those proposals will move forward depends almost entirely on the composition of the next government.

The current political pause has significant implications for gambling operators. The Remote Gambling Act opened the legal online gambling market in October 2021, creating a structured but relatively young regulatory framework. Operators are now working within a legislative environment that may shift again depending on which parties form the next cabinet. Some may choose to adopt a precautionary approach, holding back on marketing expansion or platform upgrades until legal clarity returns.

In addition to legislative delays, the broader fiscal strategy toward gambling has already shifted under the outgoing coalition. Earlier this year, the government raised the gambling tax rate from 30.5% to 34.2%. Another increase to 37.8% is already scheduled for 2026. These tax adjustments reflect a policy view that sees gambling revenue as a more viable public income stream, even as regulatory caution increases.

Other policy signals from the now-defunct cabinet included a decision not to privatize Holland Casino or Nederlandse Loterij, the state-owned gambling monopolies. The move was justified because such a sale would be difficult to manage under current conditions and might not bring sufficient value. That decision, at least for now, reaffirms the state's presence in the sector, even as the broader legislative framework remains in flux.

The outcome of the next election will be pivotal. A continuation of the center-right or right-leaning parties—such as the VVD, PVV, NSC, and BBB—could lead to further tightening of restrictions, possibly reinforcing the policy direction of the outgoing administration. Alternatively, a shift toward center-left parties, such as GroenLinks or Democrats 66, could produce a different approach —one potentially more focused on central oversight and structural reforms.