Holland On line casino, the outstanding Dutch state-owned operator, concluded 2024 with a lower in annual income and a vital dip in pre-tax earnings, reflecting the monetary pressures it confronted throughout the 12 months. Regardless of these challenges, the corporate ended the 12 months on a cautiously optimistic be aware, underscoring operational progress in key areas reminiscent of accountable gaming.
Monetary decline amid elevated tax burden:
The on line casino’s whole income for 2024 amounted to €784 million, representing a 4.1% decline from the earlier 12 months’s €817.7 million. This drop of €33.7 million was coupled with a pre-tax revenue of simply €-1.3 million, a pointy distinction to the €31.9 million revenue posted in 2023. Whereas the net phase took a substantial hit, with income plummeting by almost 27% to €85.2 million, the corporate’s land-based operations fared barely higher. Income from Holland On line casino’s bodily branches dipped modestly to €698.8 million, a 0.4% lower.
Nevertheless, the operator highlighted an encouraging rise in customer numbers, with 5.2 million folks visiting its areas in 2024, up from 5.1 million within the earlier 12 months. This enhance, the corporate recommended, was a optimistic signal of buyer appreciation for the companies offered. Notably, the Venlo department acquired the distinguished title of Finest On line casino in Europe, and the Utrecht department was lauded for its sustainability efforts.
One of the vital urgent considerations raised by Holland On line casino in its annual report was the proposed enhance in playing taxes. In 2024, the on line casino paid a complete of €222.6 million in taxes, a substantial sum that already represents a good portion of its income. Nevertheless, the Dutch authorities has introduced plans to extend the playing tax fee to 37.8% in 2026, a transfer that has sparked widespread concern inside the business.
Holland On line casino has urged the federal government to rethink this enhance, arguing that with the whole tax burden exceeding 50% of income, the proposed fiscal insurance policies would make it financially unfeasible to satisfy the federal government’s aims for safer playing. CEO Petra de Ruiter expressed frustration with the conflicting nature of those insurance policies, emphasizing that whereas the federal government pushes for increased requirements of accountable playing, the proposed tax hike would severely restrict the corporate’s potential to spend money on these initiatives.
De Ruiter famous that, regardless of the monetary difficulties, the corporate stays dedicated to its mission of offering secure and accountable gaming environments. She acknowledged within the firm’s press launch, “Regardless of the consequence and the challenges forward, 2024 was a superb 12 months, and I’m pleased with the group. We stay absolutely dedicated to secure and accountable gaming, and we’ve made excellent progress on this space.”
Investing in accountable gaming and prevention:
Consistent with its dedication to accountable playing, Holland On line casino took vital steps in 2024 to boost its prevention measures. Notably, the on line casino discontinued providing 24/7 gaming at its Rotterdam and Amsterdam-West branches. Moreover, a brand new danger detection system was applied for on-line playing, and inside processes have been refined to determine and reply to indicators of problematic playing extra effectively.
The corporate additionally simplified its public communications to a B1 language stage, making it extra accessible to a wider viewers. Moreover, the prevention advisory board was strengthened to bolster efforts in creating safer gaming environments. Regardless of a slight decline in preventative interactions, each in-person and on-line, Holland On line casino famous a rise in interventions at its land-based areas, signaling improved engagement with visitors on accountable gaming points.
Trying in direction of the longer term, Holland On line casino anticipates steady income figures within the first quarter of 2025, because of the cost-saving measures already in place. Nevertheless, the corporate’s management acknowledges that additional belt-tightening could now not be sustainable. De Ruiter remarked, “With the – generally painful – cost-saving measures taken, we consider that the stretch is essentially over.”
