Poll results: Tax rates to hurt Netherlands' egaming potential
More than two-thirds of voters in this week's poll believe 29% tax on GGR will make the Dutch market unattractive to operators
The soon-to-be regulated Dutch online gambling market will prove unattractive to operators due to the country’s proposed tax rates, according to a majority of respondents to this week’s EGR poll.
Last week the lower house of the Dutch parliament finally passed a bill to regulate gaming which will see online operators’ revenues taxed at the same 29% rate as retail companies.
Furthermore, operators are obliged to pay a small percentage of GGR towards a problem gambling fund and be subject to strict advertising regulations.
The ad restrictions prohibit operators from taking bets on any sporting teams they sponsor and showing gambling adverts on mainstream TV channels or on any media between 6am and 9pm.
As a result, more than two-thirds (68%) of voters in EGR‘s weekly poll believe the taxes online operators are subject to will make the Dutch market unattractive for potential licensees.
However, several recent amendments to the bill are considered favourable to online operators, including a clause which prohibits lotteries and land-based operators from using their existing player databases to promote their online offerings.
And nearly one-third of poll respondents argue the Netherlands will still hold great potential and additional marketing opportunities will help the regulated market grow.