The online gambling market in the Netherlands has shown signs of slowing down since its opening in October 2021, according to a report from Kansspelautoriteit (KSA). Although the market is meeting experts’ expectations, the number of gambling accounts has plateaued and revenue growth is declining.
The KSA’s fifth monitoring report on online gambling revealed that there was an 8 percent increase in gross gambling revenue (GGR) from January to August 2023. This is significantly lower than the 33 percent growth in revenue reported between August 2022 and January 2023. KSA chairman René Jansen stated that this leveling off is in line with their expectations for the market.
The report also highlighted a decline in the number of active gambling accounts, with a total decrease of 33,000 accounts in just six months. However, the percentage of consumers who played on legal websites saw a 1 percent increase, with 93 percent of consumers choosing legal offerings. Additionally, the rate at which new users gambled on only legal offerings was 98 percent, exceeding the initial goal of 80 percent.
Despite the slowdown, experts at CasinoScout.nl anticipate the entry of several new operators into the market in 2024. This includes land-based operator Hommerson, JOI 2 Limited, and several brands of Rootz Limited, all lining up to launch their Dutch versions in the coming year.
The significant growth that the online gambling market initially experienced upon its opening is now showing signs of stabilizing. The implementation of a ban on most forms of gambling ads by the Dutch government is expected to further impact revenue. However, with new operators entering the market, there is still potential for future growth and development in the Dutch online gambling sector.
