CEO leaves struggling Holland Casino
Dick Flink leaves after monopoly operator posts heavy losses in 2012 results
Holland Casino, the Dutch monopoly operator gearing up for its first online launch, has parted ways with its CEO Dick Flink just one month after posting full-year losses of more 600,000.
Having joined the operator in 2007, Flink had most recently began implementing plans for its online gambling site, setting its sights on a 2015 launch. However a botched request for proposals (RFP) for its primary online supplier and disappointing full-year results have put the state-owned operator in a difficult position.
The operator was forced to re-start the selection process for its online gaming supplier and released a tender document in April after it was forced to discontinue a previous RFP when no bidder met the required criteria.
No successor for Flink has been announced, but Holland Casino said in a statement the organisation was in need of “fundamental and structural reforms”.
Visits to Holland Casino’s 14 casinos fell by 2% last year compared to 2011, while average customer spend fell to 96 per visit, compared to 98 in 2011.
Last year the Dutch government announced plans to regulate online gambling and privatise Holland Casino, a move previously discussed in January 2011. Draft legislation was published last month, proposing a 20% tax on gross profit.