The possibility of the Netherlands\u2018 gambling reforms pressing ahead is under question after a collapse within the governing coalition threw the nation\u2019s politics into shambles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, 3 June, tensions within the four-party coalition boiled to a burst only a year after it took power. Geert Wilders,<\/strong> leader of the biggest coalition party PVV (Party for Freedom)<\/strong>, stormed out of an emergency meeting called by PM Dick Schoof<\/strong> as a last-ditch effort to iron out their differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wilders, a right-wing politician, posted on social media that PVV is withdrawing its support with immediate effect minutes after walking out. The reason \u2013 demands for a new immigration policy that the other three parties refused to sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The PM\u2019s response<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After Wilders\u2019 remarks, Schoof fired back by calling his actions \u201cirresponsible and unnecessary\u201d. Shortly after, the PM announced that he had requested the resignations of all PVV-nominated MPs, mobilising those left in power into a caretaker formation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cContinuing in a caretaker capacity, the government will do everything that is in the interests of the people of our country, within the scope provided by the House of Representatives,\u201d Schoof said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n New elections are now on the horizon, most likely by the end of this year, with Schoof stating that he would like to serve as a PM again. However, Wilders has also called dibs on the role, hoping to capitalise on national anti-immigration sentiments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What does this all mean for Dutch gambling? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides the land-based monopoly of Holland Casino, the Netherlands is generally a liberalised market, especially when it comes to online play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Remote Gambling Act (KOA)<\/strong> of 2021 opened the gates for international and domestic private operators, with iGaming GGR taking on a growth trajectory ever since, reaching \u20ac1.1bn ($1.19bn) in 2024 alone. The market was re-launched with 10 licence holders back in 2021, but this has now grown to 30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But as the sector grew, so did the concerns about the black market and problem gambling concerns \u2013 leading to wide regulatory reforms most notably spearheaded by Franc Weerwind<\/strong>, who was the Legal Protections Minister between 2022 and 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After Weerwind stepped down, he was succeeded by Teun Struycken,<\/strong> an independent politician who was recommended for the Legal Protections Secretary post by one of the coalition parties, NSC<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On top of inheriting his predecessor\u2019s reforms, Struycken also expanded on them. For example, Weerwind placed affordability limits on the agenda, while the current Secretary began pushing for an age increase to 21 for slots\/live casino games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, Weerwind\u2019s proposal to ban untargeted advertisements on TV, radio and in public was further developed by Struycken to also include influencers, social media, and streaming platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Struycken is still the Legal Protections Secretary, a significant chunk of these reforms will be put on ice now that the working majority government has fallen, with their future solely dependent on the priorities of the next in power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n