Online Gambling Market in the Netherlands – What Made it So Popular?

Over the last few years, the online gambling market in the Netherlands has experienced a significant rise. Experts state that there’s an annual growth of around 15 per cent among online gaming operators, and the industry is only expected to progress and develop even further. In this article, we’ll explore the dynamics, laws and trends of the Dutch online gambling market.

According to our analysis, the rising interest in online gambling in the Netherlands can be attributed to several factors, including changes in legislation, advancements in technology, consumer preferences and easy access to resources and responsible gaming organisations.

The Remote Gambling Act

The biggest reason why the Dutch gambling market became so popular in the span of just a few years is probably the passing of the Remote Gambling Act in 2021. Even though land-based gambling was available for quite a while, Dutch residents were not able to play their favourite casino games on legal online platforms until then.

After the country’s legislature change, many well-known and proven online gambling operators entered the market. This led to a bigger diversity of products, and due to the legal and approved status of the popular casino sites in the Netherlands, players could enjoy fair games, top protection, and transparency of results.

Legal Games

The approval of the Remote Gambling Act has been coming for a long time. Dutch residents have expressed their desire for a legal and regulated online gambling industry in the Netherlands, and the government ultimately saw the huge potential of such a decision. In the list below, you can see the most popular and legal online gambling activities in the Netherlands.

As you can see, pretty much every single popular gaming product is available for online gambling in the Netherlands. This is surely great news for every Dutch player who likes the occasional gaming session but does not have the time to visit a land-based casino establishment. As long as the operator you choose to play at is licensed by the Dutch Gaming Authority (The Kansspelautoriteit), you can safely play your favourite games with real money bets.

The Growth of the Dutch Online Gambling Scene

According to online gambling market reports by various organisations and authorities, the Dutch gambling market is growing rapidly. This was expected, as a regulated industry surely entices more players to have a go at their favourite casino games. The legal status of the top gambling sites in the Netherlands guarantees a safe environment and unbiased results. In the following table, we will highlight some of the biggest data points that show the growth of the industry in the last year.

According to player research, the most loved and played online casino game in the Netherlands is roulette, with more than 32% of all gamblers enjoying the all-time classic. Blackjack is next, with around 30%, while slots are enjoyed by nearly 26% of all users. Online poker and baccarat are played by around 12%. The total number of player accounts in the Netherlands surpassed 2 million, which is a significant rise.

Sports betting is also on the rise, which is quite understandable. Dutch players have a huge love for all kinds of sports, but of course, football is king. The betting turnover has escalated, and the revenue has increased significantly. For comparison, the betting turnover in 2019 was around 23 billion EUR, while in 2022, it has almost doubled. It is assumed that these numbers will only grow in the following years, and it’s expected that the sports betting revenue will pass beyond 50 billion EUR by 2026.

Technology Development

The advancement of technology has also played a part in the rise of online gambling in the Netherlands. And rightfully so. After all, nowadays, players have access to anything they wish for through their mobile devices, and this includes online gambling games.

Having access to your favourite casino games or being able to participate in sports betting through your phone, regardless of your destination, has surely helped with the rise of the Dutch gambling market. Casino operators develop outstanding mobile apps, ensuring a seamless and innovative gaming experience for all users.

Responsible Gaming

With the rise of the online gambling & betting markets in the Netherlands, the topic of responsible gambling is also very important. Yes, online gaming can be lots of fun, but as long as it is done in a responsible way. Dutch gambling operators and the Dutch government take this subject seriously and make sure all players have access to helpful organisations and institutions. This shows their commitment to players’ wellbeing.

Furthermore, the government implemented a ban on most forms of gambling ads. This includes gambling advertisements on radio, television and in print. Only targeted advertisements will be allowed in some contexts. One of the main goals of the Dutch ad ban is limiting and restricting players under the age of 24 from viewing gambling ads. The Kansspelautoriteit will actively monitor how the new rules will be applied in practice by licensed online gambling operators.

Final Words

We can only expect that the online gambling industry in the Netherlands will keep on developing. With more attractive offers and more available games, Dutch players will continue to play at licensed online gaming platforms. Furthermore, with the constant technology development, operators will improve their interfaces, services and features even further.

Sports betting fans and casino players no longer have to play at unlicensed gaming platforms with tricky bonus terms and questionable results. This will only further increase the satisfaction and overall gaming experience. We won’t be surprised even if the online gambling market in the Netherlands becomes Europe’s biggest gaming industry in the following years.

FAQ

The time has come for us to wrap up this blog post. As final remarks, we have added some of the most popular questions about the online gambling & betting market in the Netherlands, so make sure to check them out.