The Dutch authorities plan to place a monthly limit for online gambling. Currently, players have the autonomy to set their own monthly deposit limits.
Under the proposed changes, gamblers aged 18 to 24 who set a monthly limit of €150 will receive communication from the operator, highlighting the associated risk of losing this amount. Additionally, operators must inform them about available measures to address problematic gambling. Should the limit exceed €300, players in this age group will need to confirm their income.
For players aged 25 and above, proof of income will be mandatory when setting a deposit limit of €700. If the limit is set between €350 and €700, operators are obligated to engage in a preventive conversation with their clients. If it is impossible to contact the player, access to his or her account will be temporarily suspended.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria is set to increase the taxes for gambling operators starting January 1, 2024. The adjustments include a threefold rise in the cost of a five-year licence for brick-and-mortar casinos, soaring from BGN 100,000 to BGN 300,000. Similarly, licences for operators of brick-and-mortar slot machines will also triple.
Online gambling operators are expected to bear an even greater financial burden, with the cost of a five-year licence skyrocketing from BGN 100,000 to BGN 400,000. Additionally, the tax on gambling operators’ income will be raised from 15% to 20%. Authorities anticipate that these tax hikes will generate an additional BGN 200 million, aiding in maintaining the budget shortfall at 3%, a crucial requirement for Bulgaria’s planned transition from BGN to euros in 2025.
The gambling industry’s representatives have strongly criticised the tax boost, asserting that they pose a significant risk of bankruptcy for numerous gambling companies and are likely to diminish overall budget revenues.
Earlier it was reported that Italy intends to increase the cost of licences for online operators.
