Holland Casino Online Licence Extended Until 2031 in Netherlands

Holland Casino Online Secures Five-Year Dutch Licence Extension – Continuity Confirmed Amid Higher Gambling Taxes

Key Takeaways

• Holland Casino Online has received a five-year extension of its Dutch online gambling licence from the Netherlands Gaming Authority.
• The renewed licence takes effect on 1 October 2026 and runs until at least 2031.
• The extension follows a gambling tax increase to 37.8% of gross gaming revenue earlier this year.
• Holland Casino reported €13.5 million in additional costs in the first half of 2025 after the initial tax rise to 34.2%.

Licence Extension Valid Until 2031

Holland Casino Online will be allowed to continue operating in the regulated Dutch online gambling market for another five years. The Netherlands Gaming Authority, known locally as the Kansspelautoriteit, confirmed that the operator has secured an extension of its existing licence.

The renewed licence will commence on 1 October 2026. From that date, Holland Casino Online will be authorised to offer its online gambling portfolio in the Netherlands until at least 2031.

For users in the Dutch market, this decision means that one of the country’s established state owned operators will remain active under the national regulatory framework. For international observers and platform comparison users, the renewal signals regulatory continuity for a major domestic brand within the Netherlands.

Regulatory Oversight and Player Protection Requirements

The licence renewal reflects continued approval from the Dutch regulator. Petra de Ruiter, chief executive of Holland Casino, stated that the operator will maintain its commitment to providing a safe and responsible online offering, with player protection as a priority.

The Netherlands has recently tightened its stance on gambling advertising. A near complete advertising ban came into force in June. In addition, the regulator has addressed accusations that Betcity and TOTO Winkel violated rules prohibiting the use of role models in gambling advertising.

De Ruiter also referred to the broader policy objective of keeping the regulated market sufficiently attractive to prevent players from turning to unregulated providers, where supervision and consumer protection are absent. This objective aligns with the regulator’s ongoing enforcement activity and advertising restrictions.

For users, the combination of licence renewal and stricter oversight highlights the Dutch authorities’ dual focus: maintaining a controlled legal market while limiting promotional exposure and enforcing compliance.

Gambling Tax Increase Raises Cost Base for Operators

The licence extension comes in the context of a significant increase in gambling taxation in the Netherlands. In January 2025, the gambling tax rate rose to 34.2% of gross gaming revenue. Earlier this year, the full increase to 37.8% took effect.

Holland Casino was among the first operators to respond publicly to the higher tax burden. According to the company, the initial rise to 34.2% resulted in €13.5 million in additional costs during the first half of 2025 alone.

The Ministry of Finance had stated in September, when the tax hike was approved, that it expected to collect an additional €200 million annually between 2025 and 2028 as a result of the higher rate.

The tax changes apply across the Dutch gambling sector. For licensed online operators, the higher rate directly affects margins and cost structures. While the licence extension secures market access for Holland Casino Online, the increased tax burden remains a material factor in its financial outlook.

Government Position on Ownership and Sector Stability

The Dutch government confirmed last year that Holland Casino would not be privatised. Following that announcement, the government also indicated it would engage with the operator regarding the impact of the tax increase.

The combination of continued state ownership, higher taxation and licence renewal forms the current framework under which Holland Casino Online will operate from 2026 onward. The state retains its ownership position, the regulator maintains oversight through a renewed licence, and the Ministry of Finance anticipates higher fiscal revenue from the sector.

For market participants and users comparing platforms, these elements define the operational environment in the Netherlands: a regulated market with increasing fiscal pressure and stricter advertising limitations, but with established domestic operators retaining long term licences.

Implications for the Regulated Dutch Online Market

The Dutch online gambling market has undergone several regulatory adjustments over the past year, including advertising restrictions and tax increases. The extension of Holland Casino Online’s licence ensures that one of the country’s principal regulated brands will remain active through at least 2031.

For users, licence duration is a relevant indicator of regulatory approval and operational continuity. A five-year extension provides visibility regarding the operator’s legal status within the Netherlands. At the same time, the higher gambling tax rate may influence how operators structure their offerings, given the increased share of gross gaming revenue allocated to taxation.

The regulator’s emphasis on keeping the legal market attractive enough to compete with unregulated alternatives suggests that Dutch authorities are balancing fiscal objectives with channeling goals, namely directing players toward licensed providers.

Our Assessment

The five-year licence extension confirms that Holland Casino Online will continue operating in the Dutch regulated market until at least 2031. This decision comes amid a higher gambling tax rate of 37.8% of gross gaming revenue and tighter advertising restrictions. The operator has already reported €13.5 million in additional costs from the initial tax increase in 2025, while the Ministry of Finance expects significant additional annual tax revenue from the sector. Together, these elements define the current regulatory and fiscal framework for licensed online gambling in the Netherlands.