Dutch government puts privatization of Nederlandse Loterij on hold...and more!

Star Casino goes live in the Netherlands

Seven months after acquiring a remote license from the Netherlands Gambling Authority, Star Casino has officially launched in the Netherlands.

Star Casino, which is owned by the Belgian company Green Island NV, is the 28th brand that is currently active in the Dutch market. Star Casino offers both online casino and sports betting games.

Netherlands Gambling Authority issues warning to Circus.nl over gambling ad

The Netherlands Gambling Authority has issued a warning to Betca after an ad promoting its Circus.nl brand appeared within the mobile game Tiny Tower.

The ad was found to be in violation of Dutch advertising regulations that prohibit gambling promotions in non-gambling digital gaming environments.

Upon being notified by the KSA, Betca acted promptly to remove the advertisement. The company has since implemented measures to prevent similar incidents.

Self-help group AGOG launches online meetings for problematic gamblers and significant others

In addition to its in-person meetings, self-help group AGOG now also offers online mutual support groups for problem gamblers and their significant others.

The online support groups are intended to increase the accessibility of AGOG's mutual support and care services.

Flutter acquires 56% stake in Brazilian gambling operator for $350m

Flutter Entertainment has officially completed its acquisition of a 56% stake in NSX Group, the operator of Brazilian sportsbook brand Betnacional, for a cash consideration of approximately $350m.

The move combines NSX with Flutter’s Betfair Brazil operations, forming a new entity under the Flutter Brazil umbrella.

The acquisition continues the company’s expansion across key international markets after a Q1 2025 net income rise to $335m and group revenue growth of 8% to $3.7bn.

Malta Gaming Authority issues 2023 ESG Insights Report

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has published the results of its first ESG Code of Good Practice data collection exercise. Fourteen online gaming licensees voluntarily took part in this exercise, submitting detailed information about their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices for 2023.

With the publication of this report, the MGA seeks to promote greater ESG awareness and highlight the progress already being made within the online gaming sector.

Supported by a new EU regulation, reporting on ESG ratings is expected to become increasingly widespread across a wide range of economic sectors, including the regulated gambling industry.

Voting for the Dutch Online Casino of the Year Awards now open

Voting for the Dutch Online Casino of the Year Awards is now open!

With 27 operators nominated across nine categories, it promises to be a very exciting contest.

Let your voice be heard and don't forget to vote!

Please note that the award ceremony of the Dutch Online Casino of the Year Awards takes place during the Gaming in Holland networking drinks, part of the program of the annual Gaming in Holland Conference on June 5, 2025.

GiH Conference visitors are all cordially invited to attend the festivities!

Upcoming events

Gaming in Holland Conference

As always, the Gaming in Holland Conference returns to Amsterdam this summer. The 2025 edition of his event will take place June 5, 2025, at the KIT Royal Tropical Institute.

This year's speakers include Arjan Blok, CEO of Nederlandse Loterij; Renske Fikkers, Head of Market Supervision at the Netherlands Gambling Authority; Justin Franssen, Partner at Franssen Tolboom Advocaten; and Josh Hodgson, COO of H2 Gambling Capital.

With (online) gambling back on the political agenda, there will be plenty to discuss!

Also, don't miss our pre-conference program on June 4, which includes training sessions (generously provided by Chevron Consultants) on internal audits and establishing a learning culture, as well as beer & “bitterballen” at Café Rijnbar.

Don't miss it! Register today: https://bit.ly/GiHC2025.

Gaming in Spain Conference

Join us on June 26 in Madrid for the 2025 Gaming in Spain Conference.

The event will feature a keynote speech by Mikel Arana, Director General of Spain's national gambling regulator, DGOJ.

Besides focusing on the Spanish market, the 2025 GiS Conference will also feature several sessions dedicated to the latest developments in the most important LatAm markets.

Don't miss it! Register today: https://bit.ly/GiSC2025.

Other events

• SBC Summit Malta, the newly rebranded continuation to CasinoBeats Summit, will take place June 10-12, 2025, at the InterContinental in St Julian’s.

• iGB L!ve returns to ExCel London on July 2-3, 2025. Registration is now open!

Dutch government puts privatization of Nederlandse Loterij on hold

The Dutch government has decided to put the proposed privatization of Nederlandse Loterij on hold. Besides the Dutch State Lottery, Nederlandse Loterij also operates the TOTO online brand, as well as the country's land-based betting monopoly.

State Secretary for Tax Affairs, the Tax Administration, and Customs, Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen informed the Lower House that a privatization of the state-owned company no longer aligns with the government's recently adopted (and more restrictive) vision on the regulated gambling market.

“A state participation offers an additional means to safeguard public interests,” van Oostenbruggen wrote.

Furthermore, the government intends to implement its new vision on the regulated gambling market through significant legislative and regulatory revisions, which would make privatization impractical in the coming years.

The government's decision undoubtedly comes as a disappointment to Nederlandse Loterij, which, in recent years, repeatedly expressed itself to be in favor of privatization.

CEO of Nederlandse Loterij, Arjan Blok, will be one of the keynote speakers at next month's Gaming in Holland Conference, where the expected impact of the government's decision on the operator, as well as the larger gambling market will undoubtedly be a hotly debated topic.