In a surprising turn of events, De Unie (The Union) and another union have taken a bold step by approaching The Hague to address the proposed increase in the gambling tax in the Netherlands. The potential increase to 37.8% has sparked concerns for Holland Casino, with The Union arguing that it would put significant pressure on the operator. This move comes on the heels of Holland Casino’s recent financial results for the first half of 2024, which revealed a troubling loss of €3.5m, a stark contrast to the €17.2m profit from the same period last year.
The CEO of Holland Casino, Petra de Ruiter, expressed deep concern over the impact of the proposed gambling tax increase on the casino’s operations. She outlined potential measures that may need to be taken, including “significantly reducing the prize money.” De Ruiter went on to criticize the government’s stance on gambling, labeling the potential measures as “unacceptable” and “irresponsible.”
Furthermore, De Ruiter highlighted the strain that the tax increase would put on the casino’s planned investments in their prevention policy. This development has raised alarms among casino stakeholders and industry experts, who fear that the original objective of Holland Casino to combat gambling addiction may be compromised if the operator’s financial position continues to deteriorate under the burden of increased taxation.
The unions involved in the effort to address the gambling tax hike have not minced words in reminding politicians of the core purpose behind the establishment of Holland Casino. They have underscored the casino’s role in combating gambling addiction and stress that any pressure on its operations could jeopardize the achievement of this vital objective.
As the debate over the gambling tax increase continues to unfold, the future of Holland Casino hangs in the balance. Will the operator be able to weather the storm and maintain its commitment to responsible gaming, or will external pressures force it to make sacrifices that could compromise its core mission? These are pressing questions that demand attention as stakeholders in the industry anxiously await the outcome of this high-stakes battle in The Hague.
