Holland Casino Online Secures Five-Year Dutch Licence Extension
Jacob Mitchell 
Key Takeaways:
- Holland Casino Online received a five-year extension to its Dutch licence.
- The extension allows operation until at least 2031, commencing October 2026.
- The Netherlands Gaming Authority confirmed the licence renewal.
- The operator previously criticised the Dutch gambling tax hike.
- The tax rate increased to 37.8% of GGR earlier this year.
Holland Casino Online has secured a five-year extension to its Dutch online gambling licence, as announced by the Netherlands Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit). This licence renewal will commence on 1 October 2026, enabling the operator to continue offering its online gambling portfolio within the regulated Dutch market until at least 2031. The extension confirms the regulator’s ongoing endorsement of Holland Casino Online.
Regulatory Context and Operator Response
Petra de Ruiter, chief executive of Holland Casino, stated that the company "will continue to commit to a safe and responsible online offering, where player protection always comes first." She also emphasised the importance of maintaining an attractive regulated market to deter players from unregulated providers lacking supervision and protection, working within the broader iGaming licensing framework. This focus on market attractiveness has also been a priority for the Netherlands Gaming Authority, which addressed accusations against Betcity and TOTO Winkel for violating the ban on role models in gambling advertising. Furthermore, the government introduced a near-complete advertising ban in June.
Impact of Gambling Tax Hikes
This licence extension follows a few months after the Netherlands gambling tax hike was implemented in January. The tax rate initially increased to 34.2% of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in January 2025, with the full increase to 37.8% taking effect earlier this year. Holland Casino was among the first to criticise this tax hike, claiming it would reduce the operator's profit moving forward. The initial tax hike of 34.2% resulted in an additional €13.5 million in costs for the operator during the first half of 2025. The government had confirmed it would engage in mitigation discussions with the operator regarding the tax hike, following last year's announcement that Holland Casino would not be privatised. The Ministry of Finance had projected collecting an additional €200 million annually between 2025 and 2028, a figure stated when the tax hike was approved in September.
Licence Details and Market Continuity
The five-year licence extension ensures Holland Casino Online's continued presence and operation within the Dutch regulated market for an extended period. Beginning in October 2026, the operator can maintain its online casino game selection, reinforcing stability in its market position. This continuity is crucial for the operator's strategy, particularly in light of the recent regulatory and fiscal changes impacting the Dutch iGaming landscape. The renewal underscores the ongoing commitment to a regulated environment that balances player protection with market viability, as highlighted by the operator's chief executive.
