Higher taxes don’t always mean higher revenue—especially in iGaming.
The Netherlands is facing a €200 million shortfall in gambling tax revenue just months after increasing its rate to 34.2% in January. The Dutch Ministry of Finance had projected gains of €200 million annually, but updated figures suggest revenue has dropped to 83% of last year’s levels. Gross gaming revenue is down 25%, with legal operators losing ground to unlicensed competitors due to overregulation and player restrictions. Deposit caps, advertising bans, and burdensome tax hikes are driving players toward the black market, leaving the government with less revenue—not more.
With a further tax increase planned for 2026, this policy may continue to undermine its own goals.
