Dutch illegal online gambling rate climbs 20%
New Holland Casino survey reveals appetite for licenced egaming in Holland
The number of Dutch citizens gambling on unregulated sites in Holland has risen by 20% since 2016, according to a new survey commissioned by Holland Casino.
More than 1.86 million people gambled online in 2018, rising from the 1.53 million reported during 2016. These participation figures come despite the fact that online gambling is still illegal and unregulated in the Netherlands.
Researchers from Dutch consultancy agency Motivaction surveyed over 15,000 respondents between the ages of 18 and 80 during November 2018.
Of these respondents, 38% said they had gambled during the period, while 18% of those individuals said they had gambled online. However, the survey revealed that respondents would overwhelmingly prefer to gamble with licenced Dutch operators rather than unlicensed sites.
Addressing the issue, Holland Casinos CEO Erwin van Lambaart said: “Online players find a safe and responsible gaming environment itself very important.”
Van Lambaart called for strict but fair regulation of the online market, saying that it was a “necessary condition” of ensuring Dutch players are protected online.
Despite the increase in participation, the market share of unregulated online gambling fell slightly from the €594m reported during 2016 to €591.7m in 2018.
Of this figure, sports betting represented the largest part of unregulated online gambling, with almost 44% of the market closely followed by online casino with 39%. Online bingo and poker made up the rest of the unregulated Dutch market, with market shares of 12% and 4% respectively.
Politicians are due to debate the possible legalisation and regulation of the egaming market on 5 February, with a final senate vote scheduled for 12 February. Many, including Dutch regulator the KSA have predicted the senate will finally pass the long delayed Remote Gaming Bill and are preparing for the prospect of a licenced egaming market.
Looking ahead, Van Lambaart believes the next challenge any legalised egaming market is to ensure “that online players can actually go straight after the legislation comes into force with safe and responsible legal offers.”