The Dutch government has officially confirmed that both the Nederlandse Loterij and Holland Casino will remain under state ownership, setting aside plans for privatisation. This decision comes as part of a broader strategy to reform online gambling legislation and strengthen protections for players across the country.
Nederlandse Loterij to Remain State-Owned for Now
The potential privatisation of the Nederlandse Loterij was first debated publicly in a parliamentary committee last November, with speculation around shifting the lottery monopoly to private hands. However, a recent update from the government, released on May 13, 2025, clarifies that such a move is currently considered “not feasible and proportionate.” As a result, the existing state-controlled framework will stay intact.
The government emphasized that changing the ownership structure of the lottery conflicts with its broader gambling policy vision. Instead of altering the national lottery setup, authorities intend to focus efforts on modernizing the Dutch online gambling market. Additionally, the government pointed out that privatisation would entail extensive legislative and regulatory changes, potentially exposing players to increased gambling-related harm — an outcome the government deems “not desirable.”
State Secretary Tjebbe Van Oostenbruggen, responsible for taxation and customs, alongside State Secretary for Legal Protection Teun Struycken, announced the decision in a statement to the Dutch House of Representatives. Van Oostenbruggen noted that while privatisation is off the table for now, it could be reconsidered in the future, provided it aligns with the relevant department’s policy vision.
He stated, “The government will retain the Nederlandse Loterij as a state-owned company for the time being. Citizens will retain access to a party that is structured differently from commercial gambling providers. In doing so, the government also wants to take responsibility in a market that clearly also has negative aspects and ensure long-term stability.”
This stance aligns with Struycken’s February presentation to parliament, which called for reforms in online gambling regulations with a stronger emphasis on player protection. Proposed changes include raising the minimum age for higher-risk products like online slots to 21 and imposing tougher advertising restrictions. An updated gambling act reflecting these reforms is expected before the end of 2025.
Van Oostenbruggen added, “This more restrictive policy leads to additional measures and stricter legislation and regulations for both the legal supply and for tackling the illegal supply.”
Nederlandse Loterij CEO Seeks Greater Independence
The government’s announcement was met with a nuanced reaction from Nederlandse Loterij’s CEO, Arjan Blok. While acknowledging the government’s position, Blok expressed a desire for the lottery to gain independence from state control to better compete within the regulated market.
“Nederlandse Loterij wants to be the most responsible gambling provider,” Blok said. “We can be and remain that if we can structurally compete with international competitors on the Dutch market. It is precisely in order to maintain this position that Nederlandse Loterij is in favour of independence.”
Blok also welcomed the government’s willingness to reconsider its ownership stake in the long term, potentially opening the door for privatisation down the line. He added, “It is good to see that the government appreciates the important pioneering role of Nederlandse Loterij and underlines the strategy of our company. Furthermore, it is positive that the government will re-evaluate the shareholding in Nederlandse Loterij in the long term.”
He reassured that Nederlandse Loterij will continue its social mission, providing “a safe and responsible range of games of chance,” emphasizing that “participating is fun, but it should also remain fun.”
Holland Casino to Stay Public Despite Tax Challenges
Alongside the lottery, the government also confirmed that Holland Casino, the state-run land-based gambling operator, will not be privatised. The announcement was made amid concerns about the impact of recent tax increases in the gambling sector on the operator’s financial viability.
In August 2024, Holland Casino CEO Petra de Ruiter cautioned that further tax hikes would threaten the casino’s ability to remain profitable, calling a 7.3% increase “irresponsible.” The first phase of this tax increase took effect in January 2024, with a second planned for January 2026.
Van Oostenbruggen acknowledged in his letter to parliament that maintaining Holland Casino’s sustainability is a priority. He said ongoing discussions are in place to address the challenges posed by higher gambling taxes and to explore recovery measures.
“The focus for Holland Casino must currently be on ensuring the continuity of the organisation,” he wrote. “These discussions are about measures that can promote recovery and options to tackle the challenges.”
To mitigate tax impacts, Holland Casino has already implemented several cost-saving measures, including reorganizing its head office, cutting marketing expenses, adjusting opening hours and game offerings, and closing its Zandvoort branch. Additionally, the casino secured a payment deferral and extended repayment terms on tax debts accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic to improve liquidity.
Van Oostenbruggen concluded, “Holland Casino will have to develop new measures in the coming period in order to remain viable in the long term.”
Source:
Dutch government confirms Nederlandse Loterij and Holland Casino will not be privatised, igamingbusiness.com, May 14, 2025
The post Dutch Government Retains Nederlandse Loterij & Holland Casino first appeared on RealMoneyAction.com.