The Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit has extended the licence for Holland Casino Online by five years. The new term begins 1 October 2026 and allows the operator to remain in the regulated online market until at least 2031, marking one of the first major renewals since a wave of regulatory tightening across the sector.
The extension comes against a backdrop of aggressive tax increases. In January 2025 the gambling tax rate rose to 34.2% of GGR, climbing again to 37.8% at the start of 2026. Holland Casino incurred an additional €13.5m in costs during the first half of 2025 alone from the initial hike. The government projected the measures would generate an extra €200m annually between 2025 and 2028. Holland Casino was among the first operators to criticise the increases publicly, warning they would damage profitability.
CEO Petra de Ruiter said the operator would continue to prioritise safety and responsible gambling, with player protection at the centre of its work. But she pointed to a structural risk: the regulated market must remain attractive enough to keep players away from unlicensed sites, where oversight and protection are absent.
That issue has sharpened since the near-total advertising ban took effect in June. The KSA has already pursued cases against Betcity and TOTO Winkel for alleged breaches involving celebrity endorsements. For operators like Holland Casino, the question is whether the regulated market can compete with offshore alternatives under the current tax burden, advertising restrictions and rising compliance costs. The government has confirmed that Holland Casino will remain in state ownership and will not be privatised.
