Casino gambling has been popular throughout the world and that includes the Netherlands. However, we’re talking purely about brick-and-mortar casinos here. In the Netherlands, online casinos and online gambling weren’t so popular until recently. Nowadays, though, more and more people are enjoying this online activity. In this article, we’ll tell you all about it.
What are online casinos?
For anyone unfamiliar, an online casino is almost the same as a real casino. Essentially, players bet and gamble on games to win money. Typical games include blackjack, poker, baccarat, and roulette. However, with online casinos, there is a huge interest in slot games. In physical casinos, these were almost an afterthought and tend to come second after the table games. But with so many varieties and themes, software developers have created some huge hits. According to casinospelleninformatie.nl, the best online casino in the Netherlands is Kansino but there are many to choose from.
As there are many online casinos nowadays, gamblers have lots of choice. Most people play straight from their browser, but some require a download. You also need to register an account and pay a deposit – unless there is a no deposit bonus awarded. Go to onlinecasinobonuszonderstorten.nl for expert reviews of Dutch casinos.
The legalization of online gambling in the Netherlands
In any country, as soon as online gambling becomes legal and regulated, there is a surge in its popularity. The Netherlands is exactly the same. The popularity of Dutch online casinos is increasing all the time because players can enjoy sites without risk.
It is believed that the gambling market in the Netherlands has a value of around €800 million. There are around 1.5 million active online gamblers in the country. Considering there are less than 18 million inhabitants in the country, this is a huge number. This figure incorporates all types of online betting, including casinos and sports betting.
On the 1st of October 2024, the country opened up the online gambling market. These regulations meant that players could place bets legal and play at online casinos without risk. Online gambling platforms are forced to comply with stringent regulations so that the risk of a person developing a gambling addiction is a low as possible. There are also measures in place to prevent money laundering.
Furthermore, players have to be 18 and must pay gambling tax on winnings. The advertising of gambling is also heavily regulated in order to prevent excess gambling and addiction. As a result, it must not be in any way misleading regarding how much people are winning or how often they win.
Online gambling before legalization
Lots of Dutch people did gamble online before it was legalized, though it was never officially allowed. Before the rule changes, people in the Netherlands were only able to access international online casinos. During this time, the Gaming Authority came down heavily with fines on sites that targeted a Dutch audience. If they used the Dutch language, for example, it was seen as though they were trying to get people to play from the Netherlands and so, these casinos were fined. Now, however, legal Dutch sites exist, which is so much better for players in this country.
The Netherlands Betting and Gaming Act
The Dutch Gaming Act came into effect on 1st April. Despite this, it didn’t mean a free pass for any Dutch casino to go online. Before a casino can go live, it will need to obtain a license. These licenses are issued by the Gaming Authority – and buying one costs a staggering €50,000. There are other costs too. The Dutch Gaming Authority also has an intensive testing process to decide whether or not a casino meets the license requirements to become operational.
The advantages of online casinos
There are many benefits to online casinos. Firstly, they are home to thousands of different games that you can play at any time of day or night. What’s more, unlike going to a physical casino, you can spend a quick ten minutes playing a game and then get on with the rest of your day – you don’t even need to get dressed! Real casinos often have a dress code, for example!
There are also games that you can only play online too, which adds to the appeal. Unlike a brick-and-mortar casino, you also get bonuses like a welcome bonus or a reload bonus – and you can also join a VIP scheme to receive even more benefits.
It certainly looks as though online gambling in the Netherlands will continue to be popular for a long time yet!
Advertising online casinos
Despite online gambling becoming legal in the Netherlands, you won’t see that much advertising. And the adverts you do see are highly regulated. Online casinos and gambling platforms are allowed to put out adverts if they have a license with the KSA. To date, only 10 gambling platforms have succeeded in obtaining a license. This is due to the fact that the license requirements are so strict.
One rule is that adverts for online gambling are not allowed to be aimed at anyone under 25. Also, top athletes are not allowed to advertise gambling sites due to being in the public eye.
The positives of legalization in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a progressive country and so it makes sense that online gambling is regulated officially and legal here. That said, it’s quite surprising that this didn’t happen until relatively recently. Though many people have differing opinions on what will happen to Dutch gamblers in the future (some worry about addictions becoming a problem), there are a number of things that are clear. Firstly, there will be less tax money lost. This was around €100 million a year.
Effectively, the legalization means players can be monitored well. When you gamble at an online casino in the Netherlands, the account is linked to your BSN number and bank account, which means it’s easier for the government to get taxes from casino winnings as is the law.
