Holland On line casino, the outstanding Dutch state-owned operator, concluded 2024 with a lower in annual income and a important dip in pre-tax income, reflecting the monetary pressures it confronted in the course of the yr. Regardless of these challenges, the corporate ended the yr on a cautiously optimistic observe, underscoring operational progress in key areas comparable to accountable gaming.
Monetary decline amid elevated tax burden:
The on line casino’s whole income for 2024 amounted to €784 million, representing a 4.1% decline from the earlier yr’s €817.7 million. This drop of €33.7 million was coupled with a pre-tax revenue of simply €-1.3 million, a pointy distinction to the €31.9 million revenue posted in 2023. Whereas the net section took a substantial hit, with income plummeting by practically 27% to €85.2 million, the corporate’s land-based operations fared barely higher. Income from Holland On line casino’s bodily branches dipped modestly to €698.8 million, a 0.4% lower.
Nonetheless, the operator highlighted an encouraging rise in customer numbers, with 5.2 million folks visiting its places in 2024, up from 5.1 million within the earlier yr. This enhance, the corporate steered, was a optimistic signal of buyer appreciation for the companies supplied. Notably, the Venlo department obtained the celebrated title of Greatest On line casino in Europe, and the Utrecht department was lauded for its sustainability efforts.
One of the urgent issues raised by Holland On line casino in its annual report was the proposed enhance in playing taxes. In 2024, the on line casino paid a complete of €222.6 million in taxes, a substantial sum that already represents a good portion of its income. Nonetheless, the Dutch authorities has introduced plans to extend the playing tax charge to 37.8% in 2026, a transfer that has sparked widespread concern inside the trade.
Holland On line casino has urged the federal government to rethink this enhance, arguing that with the full tax burden exceeding 50% of income, the proposed fiscal insurance policies would make it financially unfeasible to satisfy the federal government’s targets for safer playing. CEO Petra de Ruiter expressed frustration with the conflicting nature of those insurance policies, emphasizing that whereas the federal government pushes for larger requirements of accountable playing, the proposed tax hike would severely restrict the corporate’s potential to put money into these initiatives.
De Ruiter famous that, regardless of the monetary difficulties, the corporate stays dedicated to its mission of offering secure and accountable gaming environments. She acknowledged within the firm’s press launch, “Regardless of the outcome and the challenges forward, 2024 was a superb yr, and I’m happy with the group. We stay totally dedicated to secure and accountable gaming, and we have now made superb progress on this space.”
Investing in accountable gaming and prevention:
According to its dedication to accountable playing, Holland On line casino took important steps in 2024 to boost its prevention measures. Notably, the on line casino discontinued providing 24/7 gaming at its Rotterdam and Amsterdam-West branches. Moreover, a brand new danger detection system was applied for on-line playing, and inside processes have been refined to establish and reply to indicators of problematic playing extra effectively.
The corporate additionally simplified its public communications to a B1 language degree, making it extra accessible to a wider viewers. Moreover, the prevention advisory board was strengthened to bolster efforts in creating safer gaming environments. Regardless of a slight decline in preventative interactions, each in-person and on-line, Holland On line casino famous a rise in interventions at its land-based places, signaling improved engagement with visitors on accountable gaming points.
Trying in direction of the long run, Holland On line casino anticipates steady income figures within the first quarter of 2025, because of the cost-saving measures already in place. Nonetheless, the corporate’s management acknowledges that additional belt-tightening might not be sustainable. De Ruiter remarked, “With the – generally painful – cost-saving measures taken, we consider that the stretch is essentially over.”
