written and last updated by
Sam Smith at
28 Aug 2023
Journalist, Editorial Department
In the Netherlands, tax revenues from gambling have more than doubled, reaching nearly €1 billion (approximately 103.3 billion rubles), according to a new report from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) on public finances. The legalization of iGaming has been a key driver behind this surge in treasury income.
Since the fall of 2021, residents of the Netherlands have been allowed to gamble on licensed casino websites. The Dutch Gaming Authority reports that the market has exploded, with one in twenty residents participating in legal online gambling last year.
However, it’s not just the online sector that has contributed to the increase in tax revenues; land-based casinos have also played a significant role. Following the end of the COVID-19 crisis, Holland Casino establishments were able to welcome guests without restrictions. Overall, the government collected €900 million (nearly 93 billion rubles) in gambling taxes.
Holland Casino is a state-owned enterprise that holds a legal monopoly on gambling in the country. The first casino opened in Zandvoort on October 1, 1976. There are currently fourteen establishments operating across the Netherlands, with a significant portion of the profits going directly to the state treasury.
According to CBS, revenues from carbon emissions trading allowances have also increased. Companies are required to pay for each ton of CO2 emitted in accordance with their quotas. However, CBS emphasized that while revenues from gambling taxes and emissions rights have surged, they still represent only a small fraction of the government's total income. In 2022, all taxes and contributions combined brought nearly €370 billion (over 38 trillion rubles) into the treasury.
In related news, The Bell Tower on 34th in Houston is launching casino-themed parties.
