Key Moments:
- Arco Rutte, the new gambling minister, has indicated that reforms could impact cash usage, ID checks, playing limits, and tax rates for physical slot machines.
- The latest WODC research reveals that regulations on land-based slots have seen little change since 2000, despite emerging payment technologies.
- From 1 January 2026, the gambling tax rate is set to rise to 37.8% of GGR, following a prior increase to 34.2% earlier this year.
Cash Usage Remains Prevalent
A recently released study conducted by the Dutch Scientific Research and Data Centre (WODC) underscored that cash continues to be the dominant method of play in Dutch slot halls. While advancements in payment technology are evident, physical cash is still preferred by many, especially among older demographics. Younger players are somewhat more inclined to use contactless or card payments, but reliance on cash persists.
The study pointed to risks such as money laundering and robbery associated with heavy cash use. At the same time, health experts emphasized that a fully cashless system could remove the psychological ‘pause’ that handling physical money provides. The report stated, “Introducing personalised player cards in the hospitality industry is also seen as difficult and expensive,” adding that benefits for addiction prevention only emerge if cards are linked to trackable player accounts and limit-setting tools.
Debate Over Identification and Monitoring
Current regulations require comprehensive ID checks in casinos and gaming halls, but hospitality venues only verify age. Prevention advocates argue for universal full ID verification across all venues, suggesting it could help address problem gambling. Meanwhile, industry voices caution about significant implementation costs and the possibility of driving consumers toward unregulated gaming.
The report outlined that mandatory accounts could serve as deterrents for participation and could lower rather than encourage safer gambling engagement.
Stake and Loss Limits Under Review
The Dutch market enforces a €0.20 cap per stake and a €40 hourly maximum loss for slot machines, unchanged since 2002. Stakeholders are divided: some support raising limits to €0.50 per stake and €100 per hour, while others prefer systems allowing players to set personal caps. The latter proposal attracted more favorable opinions, but questions linger over implementation costs.
The study also examined whether slot machines should offer a broader range of games. Although some respondents advocated for increased game variety, most operators cited lack of urgency and cost concerns.
Policy and Taxation: A Sector in Transition
Arco Rutte has taken the ministerial role following Teun Struycken’s resignation amid political instability. Struycken had projected that a new gambling bill may surface by the end of 2025, possibly raising the minimum age for certain high-risk products like online slots. The precise direction of impending legislation remains unclear, particularly with a snap election scheduled for 29 October, following the June collapse of the coalition government.
What is definite is taxation. The gambling tax rate is set to increase to 37.8% of GGR on 1 January 2026, after it was previously raised to 34.2% at the start of the year.
| Current Slot Machine Stake Cap | Current Hourly Loss Cap | Proposed Stake Cap | Proposed Hourly Loss Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| €0.20 | €40 | €0.50 | €100 |
As regulatory frameworks evolve, Dutch policymakers face the challenge of balancing effective player protection and ensuring healthy market participation. The resonance between overdue modernization and the burden of new regulation remains a topic for debate as the sector moves forward.
- Author
Daniel Williams
