Online operators eagerly anticipate liberalization Dutch casino market

After a countless number of delays, the Dutch Remote Gambling Act should open the country’s gates for operators of online casino’s. Although Dutch players have been playing in these casinos for a number of years (creating a market worth hundreds of millions of euros), Dutch law prohibited these casinos from targeting Dutch players. With this new law coming into effect, these prohibitions fall away, unlocking the potential on one of Europe’s biggest markets.

This staggering potential is especially highlighted in a recently published report on the size of the Dutch gambling market. This report reveals the considerable size of a market still restrained by law, the willingness of players to choose legitimate venues for their online gaming and betting needs, and the effects that limited promotions have already had on expanding the consumer base.

What does the Dutch gambling market look like?

Before April 2021, the latest date announced by the Dutch gambling commission, online casino games were prohibited. A law dating back to 1964 established a state monopoly for casinos and sports betting operators (one for general sports, one for horse track betting). With the rise of online casinos elsewhere in Europe, the gambling commission was limited in its resources. As a result, only casinos explicitly targeting Dutch players were fined and forced to go offline. All other casinos were accessible.

The Dutch market steadily grew with the rest of Europe. Considering only the legal avenues available to Dutch players, revenues exceed € 1 billion. Estimates on the size of the illegal online gambling market vary from € 185 million to € 3.1 billion – a huge range, where the first number is derived from gambling taxes paid over illegal winnings and the last number takes the average spending per capita and multiplies it by the country’s population.

What will change about the Dutch gambling market?

With the new Remote Gambling Act, this illegal market will be substituted for a legal offering. The Dutch gambling commission will issue its own remote gambling license, allowing online casinos to offer their services to the Dutch public. Online casinos and sports betting opportunities will open up to Dutch players. Additionally, the law will enhance the products offered to players, introducing live betting options, casino promotions, and Dutch helpdesks.

What will all this mean for online casinos?

With these changes, one of Europe’s premier gaming markets is opening up to operators. Not only do Dutch players already spend more per capita than their German neighbors, the expanded offering of games, betting selections, and promotions will further elevate the already promising market.

In a case study by Online Casino Ground, Dutch sports betting operator Toto is shown to have increased both its customer base and revenue after launching several promotions. Following these promotions, online revenue for sports betting doubled in the span of a year. This is an impressive feat by itself, but becomes all the more impressive when considering the handicaps Toto has. Unlike its competitors, it couldn’t offer promotions and live betting options. Imagine the potential for an unlimited offering of sports betting options.

It is for these reasons that casinos are eagerly anticipating their entry into the Dutch market. Dutch players are ready to indulge and adding promising betting features and online casinos will only entice these players to keep going on the current trajectory.