Dutch MPs want uniform tax for gambling

Dutch coalition MPs have called for the introduction of a uniform tax for gambling activities, stating online gaming should face the same rates of tax as the land-based sector when it is legalised in the country.

The Dutch government had previously planned to introduce a tax rate of 20% for online gambling, despite the casino monopoly Holland Casino and arcade owners having to pay 29% tax on proceeds.

Government officials said the lower tax rate for online gambling would help stop people from using unlicensed websites.

However, MPs from the country’s two ruling parties have called for a uniform tax tariff of 29%, with this being reduced to 25% after three years of legalised online gambling.

Although the Netherlands has not yet set a date for the launch of regulated online gambling, the government hopes its new legislation will come into effect some time this summer.

Current laws date back 50 years, before the advent of the internet.

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