Dutch gambling levy rises to fund increasing cost of regulation
Online gambling operators will now pay 1.95% of GGR as part of the levy with market scheduled to go live on 1 October
The Dutch government has increased the gambling levy for online operators due to the rising costs of regulation with the market set to go live on 1 October 2021.
The gambling levy will be increased for all perspective gambling businesses due to an uptick in costs associated with regulating the market.
These regulatory duties include the transfer of supervisory costs, adjusted indexation and an increase in the development of the implementation of the country’s Remote Gambling Act (KOA).
For online gambling operators, the percentage of GGR paid as part of the levy will rise from 1.75% to 1.95%, with 0.25% of the charge being contributed to a gambling harm prevention fund.
Slots, lotteries and land-based casinos will also see incremental increases in levy contributions.
“This is not a pleasant message in a period where many companies are already struggling due to Covid-19 prevention measures,” said the KSA.
Despite this, licence fees have also been changed, with many reduced. Lottery and casino operators will see processing fees reduced from €48,000 to €28,000.
Licence fees for online gambling operators will remain the same at €48,000 however.
KOA finally came into effect on 1 April with the market scheduled to go live on 1 October following several months of delays due to the pandemic and technical issues.