The Dutch gambling market reported €1.47 billion ($1.58 billion) in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for 2024, according to Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), reflecting a 6% year-on-year increase. However, GGR dropped to €697 million in the second half of the year, down 10% compared to the first half.
Good to know
- GGR in the Netherlands reached €1.47B in 2024, but dropped in the second half of the year.
- Deposit limits now cap monthly net deposits at €700, or €300 for players aged 18–25.
- Channelisation dropped to 50% after the new player protection rules were introduced.
One major shift began in October 2024, when stricter deposit rules were enforced to limit excessive gambling. Once a player’s net deposits reach €700 within a calendar month, operators are required to block additional deposits. Players aged 18 to 25 face an even lower monthly cap of €300. While gamblers can request higher limits, they must prove that their income supports increased spending.
Although the rules aim to curb risky behavior, data suggests they may have led some high-spending players to shift to illegal gambling sites. KSA acknowledged that “there is a great chance that heavy players have switched to illegal providers, while recreational players almost all continue to play at legal providers.”
In parallel, the number of player accounts rose from 1.1 million to 1.19 million in the last six months of the year. An estimated 788,000 people—about 5.4% of Dutch adults—actively used licensed operators during that time.
There is a great chance that heavy players have switched to illegal providers
KSA also reviewed where gambling activity is taking place. The previous channelisation estimate stood at 87%, based on advisory firm H2 Gambling Capital. However, after adopting a new measurement method that considers market value rather than player numbers, the regulator found that legal operators only captured 58% of GGR in early 2024. That share dropped to 50% after the new deposit caps were introduced.
KSA noted that “the introduction of the policy rules has led to a reduction in excessive gambling at legal providers,” with fewer accounts showing losses above €1,000. At the same time, more accounts showed losses below that threshold.
Online casino games continued to dominate the market, contributing 75% of total GGR in the second half of 2024. Sports betting GGR remained more stable through the year, though it still saw a smaller dip after deposit limits were applied. Major sporting events like the European Championship in June 2024 helped boost activity earlier in the year.
KSA added that before October, accounts engaging in both casino and sports betting showed the highest losses. After the new protections, this difference disappeared, with all account types experiencing similar outcomes.
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