Dutch Government Introduces Temporary Gambling Tax Hike

A temporary gambling tax hike is to be introduced in the Netherlands next year, taking rates to above 30% of gross gaming revenue.

Under plans issued by the government, the rate will rise from 29% to 30.1% from July 2018 to January 2019.

However, the tax rate will be reduced back to 29% six months after the country’s new gambling legislation is signed into law, with the period to be used to implement legislation.

The tax change will apply to revenue from slots, casino gambling and all forms of remote gambling.

The long-awaited Dutch gambling bill will open the country’s online gambling market to international operators.

Recently, the Netherlands’ gaming authority’s right to fine unlicensed operators was confirmed by the country’s top court.

The District Court in The Hague in July found that Kansspelautoriteit was within its rights to hand out six-figure fines to Co-Gaming Limited (formerly Come On), based in Malta, and ONISAC Limited and Mansion Online Casino Limited, both based in Gibraltar.