Dutch Government Halts Lottery Privatisation Amid Online Gambling Reforms

Nederlandse Loterij to Stay in State Hands

The government has announced that the country’s national lottery, Nederlandse Loterij, will not be privatised and instead remain under state control. The possibility of privatising the monopoly was first discussed during a parliamentary committee debate in November last year, but the latest update makes clear that the idea is no longer on the table.

Privatisation, the government said, is not currently “feasible and proportionate”, and keeping the current structure in place aligns more closely with its broader policy vision on gambling. That vision includes maintaining the existing lottery market and turning attention instead to reforms in the online sector.

The government further stated that privatisation would demand substantial changes to legislation and regulatory frameworks, which could expose consumers to gambling-related harm. It stressed that this is not “desirable” and confirmed its unwillingness to “run the risk of harming consumers.”

State Secretary Tjebbe Van Oostenbruggen (Taxation, Tax Authorities and Customs) and State Secretary for Legal Protection Teun Struycken formally delivered the decision to the Dutch House of Representatives.

In his letter to parliament, Van Oostenbruggen said: “The government will retain the Nederlandse Loterij as a state-owned company for the time being. Citizens will retain access to a party that is structured differently from commercial gambling providers. In doing so, the government also wants to take responsibility in a market that clearly also has negative aspects and ensure long-term stability”.

He also indicated the state may revisit the idea of privatisation in the future, provided any decision aligns with “the vision of the department responsible for policy.”

Online Gambling Reform Takes Priority

The government’s stance reflects a broader pivot toward strengthening regulation in the online market. Struycken had previously outlined reform priorities during a parliamentary session in February, where he called for tougher player protection rules.

His recommendations included increasing the minimum age for “higher-risk” verticals like online slots to 21, and implementing stricter advertising restrictions for operators. An updated gambling act bill is expected before the end of 2025.

“This more restrictive policy leads to additional measures and stricter legislation and regulations for both the legal supply and for tackling the illegal supply,” Van Oostenbruggen wrote.

Nederlandse Loterij CEO Supports Future Independence

The announcement drew a mixed response from Nederlandse Loterij CEO Arjan Blok, who expressed understanding of the government’s decision while reiterating the lottery’s long-standing interest in gaining independence.

“Nederlandse Loterij wants to be the most responsible gambling provider. We can be and remain that if we can structurally compete with international competitors on the Dutch market. It is precisely in order to maintain this position that Nederlandse Loterij is in favour of independence,” Blok said.

He also welcomed the government’s openness to reassessing its stake in the lottery over the long term: “It is good to see that the government appreciates the important pioneering role of Nederlandse Loterij and underlines the strategy of our company. Furthermore, it is positive that the government will re-evaluate the shareholding in Nederlandse Loterij in the long term. With a safe and responsible range of games of chance, Nederlandse Loterij will continue to perform its social tasks. Because participating is fun, but it should also remain fun.”

Holland Casino Will Also Remain State-Owned

The government’s letter also addressed the future of land-based monopoly operator Holland Casino, stating it too will not be privatised. The decision comes as the company faces financial pressure from recent tax hikes, including a 7.3% increase in gambling tax that took effect in January and a second rise planned for 2026.

In August, Holland Casino CEO Petra de Ruiter warned that further increases would be damaging. She described the latest tax rise as “irresponsible” and cautioned it could make the business unprofitable.

Van Oostenbruggen acknowledged the concerns in his letter: “The focus for Holland Casino must currently be on ensuring the continuity of the organization. In the committee debate on state participations of 28 November 2024, I indicated that I am in discussions with Holland Casino about the impact of the increase in gambling tax. This increase is putting pressure on the continuity of the company. These discussions are about measures that can promote recovery and options to tackle the challenges.”

The operator has already implemented several measures to protect its operations, including a reorganisation of its head office, reductions in marketing spend, adjusted opening hours and game offerings, and the closure of its Zandvoort location. A payment break on its Covid-19 tax debt has also been agreed upon, along with a longer repayment term.

Van Oostenbruggen concluded: “Holland Casino will have to develop new measures in the coming period in order to remain viable in the long term.”