Holland Casino returns to profitability in 2025, bouncing back from a challenging 2024

Holland Casino Reports Improved First-Half Results Amid Challenges

Holland Casino, the Dutch gambling giant, has reported a profit of €14.2 million before tax in the first half of 2025, marking a significant turnaround from the €3.5 million loss it experienced in the same period last year. This improvement is primarily due to the cost-cutting measures introduced at the start of the year.

The company's efforts to achieve savings within the organisation have resulted in a reduction of operating costs by €30.1 million, excluding exceptional items. These savings were achieved through restructuring at the head office and other targeted savings.

Guests visited Holland Casino's physical casinos slightly more often, with a total of 2,582,498 visits, compared to 2,565,472 in the same period last year. This increase in visits, coupled with marginal increases in average spending per visit, has contributed to the improved financial results.

However, the story is not entirely positive for Holland Casino's online platform. Stricter regulations on player behaviour, including mandatory limits, have negatively impacted its profitability. As a result, digital revenue for Holland Casino decreased by 15% to €48.9m last year, and the downward trend has persisted, although specific figures for the first half of 2025 were not disclosed.

The dual effect of higher taxation and tighter regulatory controls continues to create challenges for both Holland Casino's land-based and online operations. If the planned second increase in gambling tax in 2026 had occurred, profit for the period would have been reduced to €1.1 million, or a loss of €5.5 million without the property sales.

Bergervoet, the executive, expressed appreciation for the steady flow of visitors to Holland Casino's casinos. However, he acknowledged that the financial position of the company remains fragile due to the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and broader economic pressures.

Holland Casino benefited from one-off financial gains of €6.6 million from the sale of land and disposal of its Zandvoort branch. No information was provided about any exceptional items or one-off financial gains related to the online operations in the first half of 2025.

Liquidity strengthened due to a six-month pause in repayments of Covid-related debt and a two-year extension of the repayment schedule. No specific information was provided about any changes in the number of visits or average spending per visit for online operations in the first half of 2025.

The management of Holland Casino in 2024 reversed previous strategies by enhancing regulations and controls on online gambling. This resulted in stricter restrictions on online casino advertising and player participation, aiming to improve the company's success record. These measures aimed at curbing risky player behaviours and potentially reducing online gambling turnover. However, the impact on the profitability of the online platform has been significant.

In conclusion, while Holland Casino has managed to improve its financial results through cost-cutting measures and increased visits to its physical casinos, the challenges posed by higher taxation and tighter regulatory controls, particularly in the online sector, continue to present significant hurdles for the company.

Holland Casino returns to profitability in 2025, bouncing back from a challenging 2024