Dutch Gambling Trade Group VNLOK Alerts Parliament to Negative Impacts of Escalating Tax Regime

The Netherlands' gambling industry is currently navigating a period of significant fiscal challenge, with the trade body VNLOK articulating serious concerns regarding the efficacy of the nation's escalating gambling tax policy. The organization's latest assessment, informed by insights from licensed operators and sector representatives, suggests that the current tax framework is inadvertently bolstering the black market while simultaneously diminishing overall state tax collections.

These cautionary statements arrive precisely as a new parliamentary discussion on gambling taxation is slated for today, March 11. VNLOK, alongside major stakeholders such as the Dutch Lottery and Holland Casino, is advocating strenuously against further tax hikes, arguing that such measures risk plunging the regulated market into a spiral of decline. This not only threatens to further erode governmental revenue streams but also empower the very illicit operators that regulatory efforts aim to suppress.

The industry's apprehension stems from a legislative trajectory that saw gambling taxes rise to 34.2% in 2025, with a further increase to 37.8% projected for 2026. VNLOK has underscored that this aggressive tax strategy is yielding results diametrically opposed to its stated objectives. Björn Fuchs, Chairman of VNLOK, articulated this sentiment clearly: "While the government intends to generate additional revenue through this policy, the reality is quite the opposite. We are observing reduced tax contributions, a proliferation of illegal offerings, and diminished financial support for vital sectors like sports and charities. This approach is not merely economically imprudent; it actively undermines player protection initiatives, ultimately making the player the casualty of this misguided strategy."

Empirical data presented by VNLOK highlights a tangible financial impact. Tax receipts linked to the gambling sector in 2025 reportedly decreased by €40 million compared to 2024, signaling a broader contraction in industry contributions. More alarmingly, the surge in unregulated gambling activities is not just an acceleration but a potential paradigm shift, where unlicensed platforms are now speculated to outnumber their regulated counterparts. These unregulated websites, VNLOK emphasizes, offer no safeguards against problem gambling, thereby directly contravening the core mandate of the regulated market to ensure player safety. Moreover, the intensified operational pressures on licensed operators have translated into a more arduous fundraising environment for sports and charitable causes, which have experienced a decline in financial backing from regulated gambling entities.

VNLOK and its consortium of industry allies are therefore urging the House of Representatives to meticulously evaluate the current ramifications of heightened taxation on the Dutch gambling market, its impact on fiscal collections, and the burgeoning prevalence of unregulated games and service providers. They insist that such empirical evidence must form the bedrock of any forthcoming policy decisions.