While land-based gambling was possible for a long time, internet gambling in the Netherlands had been restricted. The country had a sigh of relief when it became legal on October 1, 2021. The country’s legislature successfully passed the Remote Gambling Act allowing all online games of chance to become legal. Following this announcement over a year ago, online gambling and casino operators opened their doors to the bettors and gamblers in the jurisdiction. They were no longer afraid of falling on the wrong side of the law.
Today, ideal gambling platforms in the country allow gamblers access to a huge range of products such as slots, table game variations, poker tournaments, and sports betting, among others. According to research, the Netherlands is excellently catching up with the world and countries that have already legalised online gambling. Other categories players can find include live dealer variations and eSports, which seek to enhance the Netherlands’ online gambling experience.
The History of Gambling in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has come a long way in their gambling legislation. It stems back to the 14th century when the state gave the country its first licenses for betting and gambling activities. Four centuries later, in 1726, The Dutch National Lottery came into existence and shaped the future of gambling for over two centuries.
In 1964, there came a light of hope when the Betting and Gambling Act was passed and allowed land-based casinos to operate legally. People had the freedom to gamble without any bars or hindrances. Twelve years later, the first Holland casino began its operations in Zandvoort under the Dutch government authority. 2012 saw the formation of the Netherlands Gambling Authority, which sought to serve the country as an independent regulator. This later fuelled talks about commercialising online gambling in 2015. Six years later, The Remote Gambling Act was enforced, making online gambling legal in the Netherlands.
The country has undergone various steps in legalising both land-based and online gambling. It has been successful.
Why the Netherlands Legalised Gambling Online
A few reasons prompted the legalisation of online gambling in the Netherlands, but two stand out. Firstly, the government authorities had difficulty banning online gambling as most gamblers were participating in the activities illegally. This was majorly done via offshore-based operators.
The other reason was that some offshore-based operators took advantage of consumers. By legalising online gambling, the state knew it would protect its people against abuses and fraud from these operators. When something is legal, it is often easier to even report it to the authorities and seek justice, as opposed to when it is illegal.
Once the Remote Gambling Act was enforced, the Dutch regulator KSA (Kansspelautoriteit) also made a few announcements on how they would handle illegalities. The first one was that they would take harsh disciplinary actions on all the operators who did not acquire an operating licence. During the same period, the regulator fined Tipico (a gambling operator) €531250 for operating illegally. KSA had set the pace for how they would handle such cases.
What Gambling Operators Require To Operate in the Netherlands
Getting into the gambling scene for operators in the Netherlands is not difficult. As an operator, one has to fulfil all the requirements regarding legitimacy and security. Whether a Netherlands-based or offshore-based operator, one must comply with the gambling regulatory authorities and jurisdictions.
For starters, no online gambling establishment can operate without the Netherlands Gambling Authority licence. Regardless of whether an operator has big-name safety gambling authorisation from UKGC or the MGA, a platform must have the Netherlands gambling license. Before gamblers can partake in any online gambling activities, they must take precautions to ensure that the platform employs updated safety standards and security protocols to prevent third-party access. Some of the bodies or logos a player should look out for to ascertain safety include eCOGRA, NOGA, and GCGB, among others.
Popular Online Gambling Games in the Netherlands
With the legalisation of gambling in the country, operators brought their best feet forward in bringing the best games and variations. Big-name iGaming software providers such as NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Microgaming, Yggdrasil, Evolution, and Playtech have struck deals with operators to bring the best titles to the market. As such, players can enjoy high-quality games online with the best audio and visual graphics. Statistics show that the most popular online casino game in the Netherlands is roulette, then closely followed by blackjack. As a gambler, one must visit various gambling platforms to determine what one likes best. Some of the most exciting games they will find at these online casinos include:
- Slots
- Roulette
- Baccarat
- Poker
- Blackjack
- Craps
Before playing any of them, players must understand the RTPs to determine the games’ viability. You can check out https://www.top10-casinosites.net/online-netherlands/ to know the Netherlands’ top ten online casino sites. The information is instrumental in ensuring you gamble safely.
Dutch’s Growth of Gambling
So, how can one measure the impact or growth of online gambling activities in the Netherlands? The best way to check this is via the popularity and the money raking in. As more of these gambling activities became popular, the country collected more taxes, which meant more people were active. The revenue increased even more after more people took an interest in sports betting. Reports estimate that the country could rake in total revenue of around $52 billion by 2026.
The Future of Gambling Online in the Netherlands
There is so much hope for the online gambling industry in the Netherlands. Since the players are happy spenders, online gambling operators must strive to offer more and better avenues for their clientele. In a few years, players can expect an increase in licensed online gambling platforms and better incentives such as offers and bonuses. With the increment in these activities, the government must also formulate more rules and regulations to cater to all entities, the players and the operators.
