SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
A white paper released by Online Casino Ground has suggested that the burgeoning Netherlands online gambling market ‘is set to become one of Europe’s biggest.’
The paper predicts that sports betting will be the most popular market with Dutch gamblers, with the exception of lotteries, followed by online casino gaming which will be legalised in the country for the first time.
Legalisation of online gambling is set to take place in the country later this month, with new legislation coming into force allowing private offshore operators to apply for a licence for the first time.
Online Ground Casino’s research also found that of the online casino games on offer, Roulette is the most played by Dutch customers at 32%, followed by Blackjack at 31%.
Slot games are played by 25% whilst bingo, Baccarat and online poker comprise the remaining 12% of popular markets.
Online Casino Ground commented: “With the new Dutch legislation finally just a matter of weeks away we are excited to see the potential that lies ahead for incoming operators and other stakeholders. The data points towards a healthy start for the online market with players ready to embrace the new offering.
“There is no surprise that many major industry names have expressed an interest in entering the Dutch market. The legalisation of online gambling in the Netherlands comes at a time when the Dutch player is primed to welcome legal offerings, willing to spend more money than many of their European counterparts, and additional gambling options will entice a whole new audience.”
Furthermore, the Dutch market is predicted to have high revenue potential, with the average online gambling spend per capita higher than Germany, on par with France and slightly behind Spain.
It is estimated that Dutch bettors spent €182 a year on gambling activities in 2019. The number of active Dutch players has also increased from 500,000 in 2015 to 1.2 million in 2019, coinciding with a meteoric rise in gross gaming revenue from €296 million to €3.1 billion.
Online Casino Ground commented: “With the new Dutch legislation finally just a matter of weeks away we are excited to see the potential that lies ahead for incoming operators and other stakeholders. The data points towards a healthy start for the online market with players ready to embrace the new offering.
“There is no surprise that many major industry names have expressed an interest in entering the Dutch market. The legalisation of online gambling in the Netherlands comes at a time when the Dutch player is primed to welcome legal offerings, willing to spend more money than many of their European counterparts, and additional gambling options will entice a whole new audience.”
Additionally, the white paper also highlighted the prevalence of unlicensed operators in the Dutch gambling market, estimating that current restrictions in the Netherlands have forced almost 50% of sports bettors to these black market websites.
It is hoped that the new laws expanding betting offerings and legalising online casino gaming will lead to Dutch players embracing licensed operators and triggering rapid market growth.
This information comes as the UK betting operators and legislators continue to engage in a debate on the significance of the black market in the British betting industry, with a recent report by PWC arguing the illegal sector poses a major threat to the sector and to customers.
