Dutch government rules out tax policy change despite gambling revenue drop

Dutch State Secretary for Taxation Eugène Heijnen has confirmed there will be no new measures to offset a projected fall in online gambling revenue caused by higher taxes.

Heijnen told parliament last week that tax income is expected to decline but will remain broadly in line with forecasts from regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), Casino Nieuws reported. “It is true that the estimate for revenue has been revised downwards this year,” Heijnen said. “This picture is broadly consistent with the expectations communicated by the KSA in a recent report.”

The KSA reported in August that gambling tax increases could lead to a €40 million ($47.3 million) revenue drop, reversing earlier predictions of a €100 million ($118.2 million) rise in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for 2025. The tax rate rose from 30.5% to 34.2% in January 2025 and will climb again to 37.8% in January 2026.

Industry group VNLOK warned the hike, along with new restrictions on advertising, sponsorships, and deposit limits, could cut GGR by 25% and leave a €200 million ($236.4 million) shortfall in 2025. It has urged the government to review the tax framework.

During the debate, Heijnen acknowledged weaker returns from online gambling but insisted no policy adjustments would be made. “In accordance with budgetary rules, windfalls and shortfalls in tax revenue are reflected in the balance after policy is adopted,” he said. “Therefore, the revenue shortfall from this perspective is not a compensatory policy.”

Heijnen took office as State Secretary for Taxation in early September, succeeding Tjebbe Van Oostenbruggen, who resigned in late August. Van Oostenbruggen’s departure followed the resignation of Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp over the government’s decision to block sanctions against Israel. Gambling minister Teun Struycken also stepped down in the fallout.