Best Online Casinos in the Netherlands 2024
At first glance, the strict regulation of the organization and conduct of gambling-driven entertainment in the Netherlands will seem very strange. The Dutch are an amazing nation. Solving defects, they always try not to bring them to extremes. Drugs, but only light; gambling, but only under strict state control.
Society in the Netherlands at all times differed with special, unorthodox behavior. The authorities in the Netherlands preferred to use not prohibitive mechanisms, but regulatory ones. It was because of the lack of control by the authorities in the 70s that Netherlands faced the problem of the chaotically developing criminal gambling-driven business. Gambling-driven entertainment establishments were real hangouts, clients were constantly deceived, often beaten, threatened. At the same time, the owners of the dens in the Netherlands received huge profits.
No longer able to put up with the status quo, the authorities in the Netherlands decided to overcome an illegal business with the help of a legal one. The legislation in the Netherlands in force at the time — above all, the Gambling Act of 1964 — only permitted the organization and conduct of state and charitable lotteries, sweepstakes. In 1975, the parliament in the Netherlands passed amendments to this law, which legalize gambling, casino organization, and the same act establishes a procedure for licensing gambling-driven entertainment activities and the basic rules for its conduct. The law was considered as the main instrument of opposition to the criminal business in the Netherlands, citizens had to choose for themselves where to go – to a den or to a normal institution where nothing threatened their health and finances.
The authorities in the Netherlands reasonably believed that if citizens choose legal gambling houses (it could not be otherwise), then the problem with the dents will be solved by itself. This is all Netherlands! Why fight if you can just resolve, setting your own rules of the game?
The second reason for the legalization of the gambling-driven entertainment business in the Netherlands was purely economic. Many people in the Netherlands preferred to spend their free time in the gambling houses of England, Germany and Belgium, bringing them considerable income. By creating normal conditions for playing at home, one could count on a significant decrease in cash outflows and, accordingly, replenishment of one’s own budget.
Types of Online Casino in the Netherlands
Many users of the World Wide Web in the Netherlands, who are looking for slot machines for money, have little idea what an online casino is. In principle, this approach is fundamentally wrong. After all, if we are talking about financial risk, you need to examine all the pitfalls in order to have a complete picture of what is happening. So, let’s understand together the main types of online-casino spots in the Netherlands.
Online gambling halls are the most common type of online-casino establishments in the Netherlands. In order to use its services, you just need to visit a special site. All actions will take place in the browser window, just before your eyes. To implement complex algorithms, actions of games and casinos, as a rule, plug-ins written under Java, Macromedia Shockware, Macromedia Flash and the like are used. So, all you need to start the game is to go through the registration process. No installation of additional software, and the like. Of course, there are some minutes: the web versions of casinos are not as secure as the downloadable ones in the Netherlands.
In order to play your favorite slot machines in the Netherlands for money, in the case of downloadable versions, you need to go through the registration process, and also download the program for the game from an official website. Thus, through a worldwide network, the program exchanges information with the main server – and this is how the game happens. These casinos consume much less Internet traffic. But this causes a number of inconveniences with downloading and installing the client program. After all, not everyone has this opportunity (for example, if you want to play from a workplace, or not from a personal computer).
A feature of live casinos in the Netherlands is the fact that the video is broadcast from a casino studio. There, a croupier leads the game in real time, and you can make bets from home just by watching the process. Also, you have the opportunity to hear, see everything that happens, place bets, as well as communicate directly with the dealer – everything is like in a real casino, and as realistic as possible in the Netherlands.
Types of Casino Games for Gamblers in the Netherlands
Online-casino establishments did not depart from tradition and reproduced in their virtual halls the same gambling-driven entertainment that can be found in any land-based casino. Of course, the range varies depending on the site in the Netherlands. Thus, the well-known operators of the Netherlands offer several hundred positions.
When a player registers on a resource, he/she wants to find the most profitable option. In principle, you can win both in card games and on slot machines in the Netherlands. But if the question is about stable earnings (if this word is generally applicable to online casinos), then all games can be divided into more and less profitable in the Netherlands.
Let’s start with the most popular – these are slot games. Most likely, every player in a virtual casino has tried to bet on gaming machines at least once. Casino customers are attracted by the opportunity to break a big jackpot without any effort. Just press the button and wait for the golden rain to fall on you. Progressive jackpots, bonus programs, many possible combinations – these are the strong features of the game slots in the Netherlands.
According to the casino rating, the following slots are currently the most popular among players in the Netherlands:
- Starburst;
- Mega Moolah;
- Hall of Gods;
- Simply Wild;
- Jackpot Jester;
- Random runner;
- Twin Spin;
- Gold Factory.
The most famous developer of gambling-driven entertainment software from the Netherlands is Holland Power Gaming. It was founded in 2011, headquartered in Bergen op Zom. The manufacturer produces the following products:
- gaming machines;
- Software for fans of card entertainment;
- casino board games;
- soft for bingo;
- online casino platforms.
According to the company management, the staff includes specialists with more than 25 years of experience, which allows to create a high-quality competitive product. Under the Holland Power Gaming brand, over 50 slot machines, including progressive jackpot slots were released. Here are some popular products from the manufacturer:
- Amsterdam red light;
- Gangster Classics;
- Bella Italia;
- Big Money Cruise;
- Egyptian Dancer;
- Monkeys on Stage;
- Jackpot Runner.
Online Gambling Laws and Regulations in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is known as a state loyal to the most different types of entertainment prohibited in other countries. Oddly enough, gambling-driven entertainment for quite a long time was an exception to this rule.
Until 2017, gambling-driven entertainment was governed by the following regulations:
- “On Stakes and Games” (1964);
- “Ordinance Challenge Ordinance” (1997);
- “Ordinance on slot machines” (2000);
- “Gambling Ordinance: Advertising, Addiction, and Involving New Players” (2013);
- “Lottery licensing” (2016).
Finally, in 2017, a new law, adopted in July 2016, came into force, thanks to which online gambling-driven entertainment in the Netherlands acquired legal status. The following gambling-driven entertainment categories are allowed in the Netherlands:
- sports betting and other sweepstakes;
- poker;
- casino card and board games;
- lottery;
- bingo;
- slot machines and terminals.
The European Gaming and Betting Association also is involved in the development of gambling-driven life in the country. Licensing and supervision of the gambling-driven entertainment industry in the Netherlands is the responsibility of an organization called Kansspelautoriteit. In addition, the development and enforcement of laws relating to gambling-driven entertainment is the responsibility of the Ministry of Security and Justice (Ministerie van Veiligheid en Justitie).
All casinos in the Netherlands are owned by Holland Casino, which received a permanent license in 1996. The law that allowed other companies to apply for a license was adopted in 2016. Starting from January 2017, operators can get a license for 5 years. Only legal entities that have an official permanent establishment in the EU can count on receiving. The cost depends on the size of the prize payments offered by the operator:
- over 500 EUR, but less than 45 000 EUR – 226 EUR;
- more than 45 000 EUR, but less than 450 000 EUR – 907 EUR;
- over 450,000 EUR, but less than 4.5 million EUR – 1 588 EUR;
- over 4.5 million EUR – 2 668 EUR.
Slot machines are a gambling-driven entertainment segment in which it is relatively easy to become a license holder in the Netherlands. In this sector, there is no limit on the number of permits issued in the Netherlands. Slots can be located not only in gambling-driven entertainment houses, but also in cafes and restaurants, as well as specially equipped halls. A company must provide a limit for players under the age of 18. Minors in the Netherlands are prohibited from gambling. A license may be granted for a limited or indefinite period.
Online gambling-driven entertainment operators can get a license in one of two categories:
- casino games;
- sports betting.
In the near future, it is expected to amend the legislation, in accordance with which more subcategories will appear. A limited liability company or a private limited company that is registered in the EU or the European Economic Area has the opportunity to submit an application in the Netherlands. The applicant is obliged to prove that the games are provided through reliable secure channels in full compliance with current legislation. The operator must ensure that underage users are not allowed to play.
The most popular gambling-driven entertainment site in the Netherlands is the official resource of the state lottery. The second place is occupied by a service designed for sports betting lovers from a major international operator, William Hill. The three leaders include Want-to-win.com, where you also have the opportunity to put on the outcome of a variety of sporting events in the Netherlands.
Best Deposit Methods for Gamblers in the Netherlands
At that moment, when you decide to play in an online casino for money, you will have a number of questions. One of these main questions is “How to enter and how to withdraw money?”. In many ways, the solution to this issue will depend on what kind of payment means you have on hand. However, if you do not want to experience unnecessary problems and be disappointed in the casino only because of the difficulty with raising money, then you should familiarize yourself with some of the features of payment systems in the Netherlands.
To create a debit card you need to go through a few steps in the Netherlands. To begin, you will have to contact the bank with a request to make you this card. Then you must make this card available for payments on the Internet. Most often, such opportunities are provided by the Visa or MasterCard system. The fact is that your card must be supported by one of these systems, so you need to take care in advance. However, after creating the card, you also need to check the possibility of its working with an online casino in the Netherlands. The fact is that some banks intentionally restrict the use of their cards for gambling. Therefore, you need to solve this problem with customer support, or when ordering a card.
However, the advantages of these cards are enough to cover all the inconvenience of its creation in the Netherlands. Firstly, this method of depositing funds almost always passes without a commission. In other words, neither at input, nor at withdrawal of means, you will not demand to put an additional payment.
Also, this method is fast enough, since the casino for 24 hours after the request displays the funds on the card. However, the banking withdrawal procedure may take several days.
The reliability of these cards does not cause questions, since the safety of funds is guaranteed by the bank. If you trust the bank, then you can trust the debit card that it handed to you.
Electronic payment systems such as PayPal, Neteller and Skrill are common in the Netherlands. Their plus is that their creation takes a little time. After that, you can transfer money to your account in these systems in the Netherlands. Usually a transfer can be made from a bank card or from another account.
The advantage of this payment method in the Netherlands is the high rate of deposit of funds. Almost always a commission is charged.
However, a big surprise can be a commission when withdrawing money from a casino. In some payment systems, this fee is fixed, but may also depend on the amount of funds withdrawn. Therefore, in order not to be unpleasantly surprised, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the rules of depositing and withdrawing funds in advance. You can find out about this on the website of an electronic payment system and on the website of a casino in the “deposit / withdrawal of funds” section in the Netherlands.
Money transfer services in the Netherlands appeared a long time ago, therefore they use an outdated system. With this system, money really moves from the casino to your bank account, and in the opposite direction. Therefore, this system is the most expensive, which affects the amount of your commission.
In addition to a large commission, the problem is the slowness of this method of transferring money. In the meantime, while the transfer service delivers your funds to the casino in the Netherlands, you can create several debit cards and create accounts in all electronic payment systems.
Accepted Currencies in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a small European country, which, however, has a rich history, culture and a strong economy. The history of its national currency is also interesting.
Today, the official currency of the Netherlands is the euro, but not so long ago there were guilders in circulation. What is this currency and what are its features, you will learn by reading this article.
Before the Netherlands switched to the use of the common European currency, the Netherlands guilder was used in the country. This currency was put into circulation on the territory of the state in the XII century.
The guilder was in circulation in several European countries, including the Netherlands. As a monetary unit, it has been known since the twelfth century.
The first guilders in the Netherlands were issued in 1814. From 1933 to 1936, the Netherlands appeared part of the Golden Bloc, led by France. In 1945, one year after the liberation from the German occupation, the old banknotes were withdrawn from circulation.
Banknotes of the Kingdom of the Netherlands are difficult to mix up with the currencies of other countries. Their unique design is reminiscent of the works of abstract artists: the main element of the design is colorful geometric figures, intricate ornaments, stylized portraits and drawings. However, this somewhat “frivolous” colorful appearance of guilders is completely redeemed by the stability and convertibility of this currency, the complexity of counterfeiting notes.
The Silver Guilder was adopted as the national currency of the Netherlands by the States General States of the United Provinces in 1581. During the occupation of the country by the French, Napoleonic currency of the Netherlands became the French franc. After the defeat of Bonaparte, a financial reform was carried out in the country, as a result of which the guilder was divided into 100 cents. Thus, the currency of the Netherlands before the euro was the guilder, which went out of circulation in 2002. And in non-cash payments, it ceased to be used in 1999.
The Netherlands is a country that aspires to be the first and progressive in everything, so they willingly went to meet the European Union and changed their traditional currency, which they used for centuries in a row, to the euro. Thus, the authorities in the Netherlands wanted to integrate as quickly as possible into the European economic market, which becomes extremely convenient for players in online casinos, because the euro is accepted all over the world, and not only in local institutions in the Netherlands.
Predictions About the Future of Online Gambling in the Netherlands
The government of the Netherlands is always ready to adopt stricter laws that would regulate the country’s online gambling industry in the future. On the official website of the main regulatory authority of the Netherlands in the field of gambling-driven entertainment, a message of intent to toughen the responsibility of operators in case of violation of laws has already appeared.
Since the current rules did not allow for the necessary level of countering illegal actions by online casino gambling-driven entertainment operators, the government of the Netherlands took all possible actions to once and for all say goodbye to offenders in the field of online gambling-driven entertainment.
If to compare with other European countries, the process of regulating the gambling-driven entertainment segment in the Netherlands decently stretched over time. 2009 can be taken as a point of reference, when the question of the gambling-driven entertainment industry was transferred to the reliable hands of an authorized commission in the Netherlands.
Gambling-driven business in the Netherlands is allowed and available to all adult citizens. The country has 14 ground-based gambling-driven entertainment houses. The laws of the Netherlands have recently allowed online-casino establishments to operate. Since 2017, foreign operators have been granted licensing opportunities in the Netherlands.
Due to the fact that the law regulating the licensing process, has entered into force recently, foreign operators are still wary of the initiative to enter the gambling-driven entertainment market of the Netherlands. The absence of positive precedents for obtaining a license and the activities of foreign companies in the country remains a significant deterrent. Nevertheless, industry analysts predict the fastest recovery in this segment. The first licenses in the Netherlands have already been issued to local private companies, which can serve as a positive example for other operators.
The authorities of the country have already concluded that the gambling-driven entertainment business is profitable, subject to compliance with all laws and state support. In the Netherlands, regular events are held to draw attention to this area from investors. An example is the iGaming Super Show. The first exhibition and conference was held in 2016 in Amsterdam and gathered more than 4,000 participants.