Dutch MPs Advocate for Online Gambling Tax Hike

Two prominent MPs, Silvio Erkens of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, alongside Chris Stoffer from the Reformed Political Party, have jointly presented an amendment targeting an uplift in the Netherlands’ gambling tax. Their recommendation would see a 1% surge, elevating the current rate of 29.5% to 30.5%.

This initiative aims to compensate for the proposed alcohol duty rise, which, according to the MPs, could unfavorably affect small enterprises. They argue that this tax shift, if realized, could ease the alcohol duty increase burden. The expected revenue from this adjustment in gambling tax stands at an additional €26m, with the tobacco excise duty expected to contribute the remaining €48m.

Given the booming online gambling scene since its regulation in the Netherlands in October 2021, the MPs propose to amend the Dutch Gambling Tax Act. Their goal is to distinguish between various gambling modes, enabling this tax increase to exclusively target online gambling. They urge the government to roll out this change by 2025.

In related news, Franc Weerwind, the Dutch minister for legal protection, recently highlighted a strategic campaign to combat online gambling-associated fraud. The move comes in the wake of parliamentary concerns over potential match-fixing via social platforms. While Weerwind dismissed the evidence surrounding match-fixing, he expressed concerns over young individuals being the primary fraud targets. The upcoming campaign will champion educational messages to arm the youth against deceptive offers and scams.