Key points:
- The Dutch gambling market's total GSR reached €4bn in 2023, a 21.2% increase from 2022
- Online gambling continues to grow, with an 8% increase in GSR in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous six months
- The number of young adults engaging in online gambling is increasing, though they spend less than older players
The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has released its annual Market Scan for 2023 and a monitoring report for the first half of 2024, revealing growth in the Dutch gambling market.
In 2023, total gross gaming result/revenue (GSR) for the legal market reached €4bn ($4.38bn), a 21.2% increase from 2022's €3.3bn. This growth is primarily attributed to the casino games sector, both online and offline. However, the GSR of land-based casinos, despite a 19% increase, remains below 2019 levels.
The market is largely dominated by land-based casino games (33%) and lotteries (30%), with sports betting remaining the smallest sector at 9%.
Despite the growth, Dutch players spend less on gambling compared to the European average, with per capita annual spending at €272 in 2023, compared to the European average of €339.
The online gambling sector has shown consistent growth, with the online market's GSR increasing by 8% in the first half of 2024, reaching €752m.
Casino games against the house, including table games and slot machines, dominate the online sector, accounting for 72% of the total GSR.
The number of online gambling accounts also rose in early 2024, averaging 1.07 million per month. However, the number of active players was lower, with around 455,000 people gambling each month.
Young adults aged 18-23 represent a growing share of the market, accounting for 10.8% of the GSR in 2024, up from 9.6% in 2023. It was found that this demographic typically loses less money, however, averaging €55 per month.
Finally, the reports also highlighted an increase in gambling addiction treatment, with 2,456 people treated in 2023, a 28% rise from 2022. However, this increase may partly reflect improved reporting from addiction institutions.
