Gambling Tax Hike Fails to Boost Revenue, Undermines Market Stability

Due to various developments, the gross gaming result (GSR) has declined in both the online and land-based markets. As a result, despite the increase in gambling tax, tax revenues have decreased.

The increase in gambling tax means that gambling providers must take measures to maintain their profitability. This can be done in various ways, for example, by reducing costs or increasing revenue. In the land-based segment of the market, the options for doing so are limited. Therefore, the tax increase is further exacerbating this segment of the market in particular. The Ksa is currently seeing a faster decline in the number of gaming locations. For example, the number of gaming locations decreased by 9 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the last quarter of 2024. By comparison, between 2020 and 2025, the number of gaming locations decreased by an average of 6 percent per year.

The BSR has also decreased in the online market, partly due to the implementation of various measures such as the Responsible Gaming Policy 2024 and the Regulation on Gaming Limits and More Conscious Gaming Behavior. However, the online market appears to have slightly more room to absorb the decline in the BSR than land-based providers. This is because they have more options to adjust payout percentages and reduce other costs. 

Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the Royal Netherlands Gambling Authority (Ksa), expresses his concern about developments in the sector: “The measures we have taken to offer players more protection have made things financially more difficult for providers. This has led to a decrease in the BSR (Belgian Gambling Tax) for the entire market. Consequently, gambling tax revenues have also decreased. Even before the increase in gambling tax was implemented, the Ksa indicated this would be the effect. A financially driven measure like gambling tax is at odds with the policy objective of offering players more protection. If we want to offer players a protected gaming environment in the future, this requires serious, responsible providers. A financially sound, legal market is essential for this.”

The Ksa is closely monitoring developments in the channeling of online offerings and the decline in the number of establishments offering land-based offerings.