According ot the Dutch Gambling Authority, the Netherlands’ regulated casino market remained stable in 2024, hitting a gross gaming revenue of €4.3 billion. This was the same performance as in 2023.
However, below the stability, the market is seeing some significant changes. For instance, online casinos continue to expand, while traditional land-based facilities lose popularity, and new regulatory measures are reshaping consumer behaviour.
“A stable headline number can be misleading, because it masks the significant shifts occurring within the market. We are watching a gambling landscape that is maturing, diversifying, and tightening under new forms of regulation,” a KSA spokesperson said.
The total market size remains unchanged, but several sectors, such as sports betting, experienced double-digit growth, while others, particularly land-based casino operations, continued to underperform.
According to the Authority, also known as KSA, Dutch consumers have lost an average of €298 on legal gambling in 2024, which is slightly higher than the €296 from the year before that. On the bright side, it remains lower than the EU average of €359, after adjusting for income and purchasing ability.
Sports Betting Surges with 19% Growth
The most dynamic segment in 2024 was sports wagering. The total revenue from sports and horse-race betting reached €430 million, or 19% higher when compared to 2023. Unsurprisingly, this growth was led mainly by the performance of the online market, which handled around 82% of all sports betting revenue.
Online sports betting GGR increased from €300 million to €353 million, while land-based betting also rose to €77 million, reflecting a broader shift toward digital participation.
“Sports betting has clearly become a mobile-first activity. Young adults in particular are turning to online platforms that offer convenience, real-time updates, and a wide variety of betting options,” explained a market analyst from KSA.
Despite the sector’s growth, Dutch players still lose comparatively little by European standards. The average Dutch adult lost €29 on sports betting in 2024, compared with €75 for the average EU adult.
KSA also reported that the increase in betting activity pushed gambling tax revenues upward. Sports betting operators paid €131 million in gambling tax in 2024, with €108 million of it from online providers, compared with €107 million in 2023.
Land-Based Gambling Sees Decline
In contrast to sports betting, the Dutch casino sector saw a modest contraction in 2024. Total casino GGR, including online casino play, table games at Holland Casino, and slot machines, fell to €2.42 billion. It was down from €2.49 billion the previous year.
Land-based casino activity saw the most pronounced decline. GGR from physical venues dropped from €1.36 billion to €1.30 billion, continuing a downward trend that began after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Slot venues were greatly affected, as the number of venues fell from 217 in 2023 to 196 in 2024. The total number of player positions at slot machines dropped by approximately 15%.
A senior KSA official explains the decline due to changing consumer preferences and rising operational costs:
“We are seeing a generational shift. Younger consumers favour online casino formats, and physical venues must contend with energy costs, staffing shortages, and stricter regulations. The long-term trend points to consolidation in the land-based sector.”
Online casino revenue remained stable, accounting for 46% of all casino GGR. However, the sector saw a minor decline toward the end of the year due to the introduction of new monthly net deposit limits on 1 October 2024, with €300 for young adults and €700 for adults aged 24 and older. Operators can raise these limits only if players prove financial capability.
Holland Casino, the state-run operator of land-based casino gambling, had 14 outlets at the end of 2024 with 364 table games. This number was down from the 372 reported in 2023. Its Zandvoort location shut down on January 31, 2025, as part of a strategic network adjustment.
Lotteries Remain the Largest and Most Stable Sector
Lotteries maintained their long-standing position as the largest individual sector within the Dutch gambling market. With a 34% share of GGR, the sector generated €2.42 billion in turnover in 2024.
The National Postcode Lottery remained the sector leader, responsible for 36% of total lottery turnover, followed by the Staatsloterij at 33% and the VriendenLoterij at 15%.
“The lottery segment remains remarkably stable, even as other parts of the market experience more volatility,” Its broad demographic appeal and relatively low frequency of play make it less susceptible to short-term economic shifts,” said a KSA spokesperson.
Dutch adults lost an average of €102 on lotteries in 2024, which is below the EU average of €118.
Market in Transition
The total size of the Dutch gambling market did not expand in 2024, but the underlying trends are clear. For instance, internet-based gambling is tightening its grip on the market, while physical venues face continued squeeze.
At the same time, the regulatory environment has grown more stringent. The 2024 deposit limits for online play, the 2024 ban on online gambling sponsorships, and upcoming tax increases for 2025 and 2026 signal a market under increasing supervision.
“We expect the coming years to bring further consolidation, stronger consumer-protection standards, and greater reliance on data-driven monitoring,” The era of rapid expansion is ending; what comes next is a period of refinement and responsibility,” the KSA concluded in its statement.
