For generations, betting has been a part of Dutch culture. There is some proof of organized betting from as early as the 1700s. The State Lottery of the Netherlands is the world's oldest operating national lottery since its establishment in 1726.
However, sports betting and all other forms of gambling were illegal by the early 1900s, except for the state lottery. This enforcement lasted up to the 1960s when sports betting became a second state monopoly in the country.
Gradually, the government softened its stance on gambling. The country passed new legislation allowing betting on horse races. In addition, lottery and casino games were authorized, albeit under a monopoly. Dutch players were able to participate in the first gambling operator by the mid-1970s.
In the late 1990s, the Netherlands Gaming Control Board was established to oversee all forms of gambling in the country. The goal of this new corporation was to take control of the country's six betting monopolies. These were all of the different legal formats of gambling in the country.
The Dutch government believed that by having a single business handle each aspect of the betting industry, they would be able to keep tabs on the quantity of gambling and supervise the betting companies' actions.
Betting nowadays in the Netherlands
Betting has grown in popularity over the last several years worldwide. The internet and online betting are the major reasons for this growth. The growing popularity has pushed many governments worldwide to change their gambling policies or legislation to allow anyone to participate in this type of gaming. The governments are also conducting these regulations to avoid missing out on taxes to illegal operators.
Legislation to legalize online betting in the Netherlands began circulating in 2015. The intention was to divert players away from other European betting sites and make the Netherlands a regulated local market. The Remote Gambling Act was debated over several years but eventually passed in February 2019.
But the Dutch authorities took some time to launch the regulated market. According to MPs, the new act was supposed to go into effect in July 2020, with the market starting in January 2021. However, because of some delays, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the law did not take effect until March 2021. Starting October 2021, the first regulated Dutch betting sites opened their operations in the nation.
Betting bonuses available to Dutch players
There are fantastic promo offers for Dutch players. The betting bonuses that players get are determined by the website where they register to play games. Welcome bonuses, cashback incentives, monthly promotions, no-deposit bonuses, and deposit bonuses are all available to players.
Unlike no-deposit bonuses, most bonus categories require users to deposit to qualify for the bonus. The no-deposit bonuses will award the player various freebies. These rewards include free spins and free money, all of which are provided at no cost to the player.
