The Netherlands’ gambling sector is pushing back against recent tax increases. Industry bodies say the Dutch gambling tax changes are already showing unintended consequences for the regulated market. In a joint letter to parliament, several major organisations pointed to falling tax income and signs of a growing illegal market.

• The tax changes were introduced as part of the Dutch government’s 2025 fiscal plan. The Dutch gambling tax rate increased from 30.5% to 34.2% in 2025 and is set to rise further to 37.8% in 2026. Lawmakers expected the higher rate to deliver stronger long-term tax revenue.

• Early figures suggest the opposite may be happening as the Dutch Gambling Authority estimates that tax income from gambling in 2025 will come in about EUR 40m lower than in 2024. The regulator links the shortfall to tighter regulation, higher tax pressure and shifts in player behaviour.

• Data collected by industry association VNLOK (Vergunde NederLandse Online Kansspelaanbieders) points to a similar trend in online gambling. According to its monitoring among member companies, tax paid from online operations dropped by more than EUR 43.5m in 2025 compared with the previous year. VNLOK members account for roughly three quarters of the regulated online market.

• Meanwhile, the illegal online market appears to be expanding. During the first half of 2025, illegal online gambling activity reached around EUR 617m, slightly ahead of the legal market at EUR 600m. Unlike licensed operators, these sites pay no tax and operate outside Dutch consumer protection rules.

• Industry groups also warned about knock-on effects for other sectors. Research cited in the letter suggests higher tax levels could speed up consolidation in the land-based casino market, with some venues already closing. They also note that every one-percentage-point increase in gambling tax reduces funding for sport by roughly EUR 2.5m.

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