VNLOK chair Fuchs urged Dutch policymakers to suspend the planned 2026 gambling tax increase and assess its effects on the market. He argued that higher costs, tighter regulation and slowing market growth could undermine licensed online operators’ ability to compete with illegal providers.
The proposed tax rise could affect the economic viability of licensed online operators in the Netherlands.
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Poker organisers Mathijs Jonkers and Tobias Peters have sent a letter to the Dutch parliament’s Justice and Security Committee opposing a planned second gambling tax increase. The rate is due to rise to 37.8% on 1 January 2026; the letter warns that the change could reduce legal live poker and push players towards illegal options.
It was reported that a Dutch gambling tax increase generated €2m in 2025 against an expected €108m. The report said state-owned businesses were the most affected.
Holland Casino recorded a loss for the first half of 2026 as a tax increase affected its results. Gross revenue rose marginally to €391.2m.
KSA chair Michel Groothuizen said tax increases could lead operators to question their presence in the Netherlands. He also said the black market remained a threat and reiterated his call for a gambling-focused international police body.
Denmark’s Spillemyndigheden is seeking greater cooperation with technology platforms and payment providers to address illegal gambling, its head Anders Dorph said. Estimates of licensed-market channelisation range from 78% to 82%, while a regulator survey found that 6–7% of Danish gamblers use illegal sites; the regulator has met Meta and held talks with Google.
Denmark’s Spillemyndigheden is seeking cooperation with technology platforms and payment providers to tackle illegal gambling, its head Anders Dorph said. Dorph said the regulator met Meta in May and is seeking another meeting, and has held talks with Google.