Dutch online gambling reports impressive gross gaming revenue

Lea Hogg April 13, 2024

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Dutch online gambling reports impressive gross gaming revenue

The Dutch gambling market has seen a significant surge in 2023, with gross gaming revenue reaching a staggering €1.39 billion ($1.5 billion), a 28 percent increase from the previous year’s €1.08 billion ($1.14 billion). This growth is primarily driven by online casino activities, which accounted for a substantial 77 percent of the total revenue.

The number of total player accounts also saw an upward trend, climbing from 970,000 in December 2022 to 1.1 million by December 2023. Approximately 726,000 players were active with legal providers during this period, indicating a robust and growing market.

Interestingly, it was estimated that around 5 percent of the adult population engaged in gambling activities during the second half of 2023. Moreover, an average of 448,000 players were active on a monthly basis, showcasing consistent engagement within the market.

The report also provides insights into the broader European online gambling landscape, highlighting a faster growth rate compared to the Netherlands. The KSA forecasts an average annual growth rate of approximately 8 percent over the next five years for the Dutch market, lower than the forecasted growth for the EU market, expected to increase by 12 percent in 2024.

On average, players were found to visit 2.9 gambling websites per month in the second half of 2023, indicating a moderate increase from H1, which stood at 2.6. The report also detailed the distribution of website visits among players, with 19 percent of players visiting four or more websites a month.

Financial Metrics and Regulatory Measures

In terms of financial metrics, players were reported to have lost an average of €958 ($1,019) over the last six months, translating to €160 ($170) per month. This figure marked a slight decline from previous reporting periods.

Special attention was given to young adults (18-23 years old) due to their perceived vulnerability, with the report noting that this demographic accounted for €135 million ($143.6 million) in gambling turnover in 2023. Despite comprising 9.5 percent of the population, young adults represented 22 percent of active accounts, with comparatively lower average losses per account.

Moreover, the report addressed the impact of regulatory measures, including the untargeted advertising ban implemented in July 2023. While the ban resulted in a sharp decrease in website visits by non-gamblers, it was deemed not to have affected the overall market size or channelization efforts, which remained at an estimated 90 percent.

The Central Register for the Exclusion of Gambling (Cruks) witnessed a steady increase in registrations throughout the year, reaching a total of 63,543 as of January 2024, highlighting a growing awareness and utilization of responsible gambling tools. This indicates a positive trend towards responsible gambling in the Netherlands, despite the rapid growth of the industry.