Dutch Online Gambling Revenue Falls 18.5% as Tighter Rules Reshape the Market

The regulator sees this not as a short-term dip, but as part of a broader structural shift. While the overall Dutch gambling market remained stable at roughly €4.3bn, the online segment came under clear pressure after a wave of stricter rules. These included a gambling tax increase from 30.5% to 34.2% in January 2025, with another rise to 37.8% set for 2026.

Operators also had to apply monthly net deposit limits of €700 for adults and €300 for players aged 18 to 24. The KSA says most players still use licensed operators.

Around 94% of users choose legal sites. But when it comes to revenue, the picture looks much weaker. In early 2025, the legal market accounted for only about 49% of total online gambling revenue.

This suggests that while many players stay in the regulated market, a large share of spending may be moving to unlicensed platforms. The figures have already drawn criticism from the industry.

Trade group VNLOK says player numbers do not show the full picture, because more gambling spend may be moving to unlicensed operators. Even so, the KSA remains focused on player protection and is likely to support further tightening of the Dutch market.