Holland Casino Rejects Most Union Demands Amid Tax Uncertainty

Early negotiations over a new collective labour agreement (CLA) between Holland Casino and trade union De Unie have hit an impasse, with the state-owned gaming operator rejecting the majority of the union’s initial proposals. At the centre of the disagreement are wage increases, benefits, and policy changes concerning working conditions. These talks come amid financial instability triggered by recent and impending tax increases targeting the Dutch gambling industry.

The initial round of discussions revealed stark differences between the two parties. De Unie presented a list of proposals aimed at improving employee compensation and welfare. These included across-the-board wage hikes, designating May 5 as a holiday, company-covered union contributions, and enhancements to remote work and informal care provisions. However, Holland Casino dismissed most of these demands, citing the company’s unstable financial outlook caused by rising gambling tax rates.

Holland Casino has put forward a counterproposal that includes a one-year CLA and only a modest, conditional wage increase. Under the offer, employees would receive a 1% salary bump starting January 2026. This could increase to 2.5%—but only if a planned tax hike scheduled for 2026 does not take effect. The company’s offer reflects its concerns about escalating operational costs and reduced profitability, both of which it links directly to taxation changes.

Specifically, the operator pointed to the recent increase in the gambling tax rate from 30.5% to 34.2%, which took effect in 2025. A further rise to 37.8% is under consideration for 2026. This climate of “material uncertainty,” as the company describes it, has shaped its reluctance to commit to more generous compensation packages.

The union, however, remains firm in its stance. De Unie insists that employees should not be left to shoulder the financial consequences of tax policies beyond their control. The union continues to advocate for more comprehensive wage increases and long-term salary guarantees. It has criticised the casino’s proposal as lacking vision and commitment to sustainable compensation.

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The backdrop to these negotiations includes a notable decline in Holland Casino’s financial performance. At the end of 2024, the company reported a net loss of €1.3 million, reversing a €31.9 million profit from the previous year. Annual gross revenue dropped by 4.1%, falling to €784 million from €817.7 million in 2023.

Online operations were hit particularly hard. Revenue from digital gaming fell by 26.6%, plummeting from €116 million to €85.2 million. Analysts have partially attributed this drop to stricter deposit limits imposed in the Netherlands. These restrictions, while intended to promote responsible gambling, may have inadvertently driven consumers to the unregulated market—now estimated by the Dutch gambling regulator (KSA) to be nearly as large as the legal market.

In contrast, land-based casinos held relatively steady. Physical venues brought in €698.8 million, a minimal 0.4% decline year-on-year. Additionally, customer turnout rose, with guest visits climbing to 5.2 million. Holland Casino sees this as a sign of continued public confidence in its on-site offerings.

Despite the company’s online losses, it remains committed to its digital platform. The company’s online casino has a vast portfolio of live dealer games, ranging from classic live roulette and live blackjack tables to more spectacular game shows. The online casino has partnerships in place with some of the world’s most prominent live casino suppliers, including Skywind, Playtech, and Pragmatic Play.

Source:

, gamblinginsider.com, May 12, 2025.