Dutch Coalition Suggests Higher Gambling Levies amid Online Slot Ban

A group of political parties in the Netherlands is proposing an increase in taxes on gambling while also recommending a ban on online slot machines.

Proposed Tax Increase Details

• Current tax rate: 30.5%
• Proposed tax rate: 37.8%
• Additional revenue for state: €202m annually

The Dutch government plans to raise the tax on gambling from 30.5% to 37.8%. This is to help earn an additional €202 million each year for the country. CasinoNieuws.nl reported that this is part of the government's budget plan. Political parties such as the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB have agreed to this proposal, which was introduced on May 16.

Industry Associations' Responses

The group that oversees online gambling in the Netherlands, NOGA, is unhappy with the idea to raise gambling taxes. The head of NOGA, Peter-Paul de Goeij, has said that the higher taxes could push gamblers to use illegal sites that don't follow Dutch rules or pay Dutch taxes. He's worried that this could make people less interested in legal gambling options and lead to more problems from gambling that's not controlled.

Van Kansspelen, a Dutch gambling group, agreed with NOGA and pointed out that the decision was socially irresponsible. Henry Meijdam, the chairman, highlighted that it could harm the safety and health of people who gamble.

Controversial Slot Ban

The Dutch house of representatives has decided to stop ads for online gambling that is especially risky, like online slot games, because players may not have enough control. This rule comes after they already stopped gambling ads on TV and radio. Now, with both targeted and general ads banned, there are big changes in the rules for gambling in the Dutch market.

Michiel van Nispen, an MP from the Socialist party, has supported these proposals. They have been approved by a parliamentary vote, but now Franc Weerwind, who is the minister for legal protection in the Netherlands, must examine and decide whether or not to make these proposals into law.

NOGA is against the bans on gambling ads because they say it will make people gamble illegally. They think these rules are made using wrong information and warn that they will lead to bad results, blaming the house for them.

Expected Impact and Next Steps

The government plans to raise taxes and make it illegal to play some types of online gambling games in the Netherlands. This is going to change the way the gambling business works in the country, and gambling companies and players will have to get used to new rules.

The gambling industry and the responsible officials are going to carefully watch what happens next. They are waiting for clear rules and decisions from the government after it reviews the situation. If these new rules happen, they could really change how gambling works in the Netherlands, affecting both money and society.