The Nederlandse Online Gambling Associatie (NOGA – Dutch Online Gambling Association) has announced a new member to its ranks in the form of operator ComeOn.
Part of ComeOn Group, ComeOn joins NOGA’s membership list which includes the likes of LeoVegas, Entain, bet365, Betsson, Flutter Entertainment and Kindred.
Commenting on ComeOn’s membership with NOGA, Acting Director Eric Konings stated: “ComeOn has managed to build up a good brand awareness in the Netherlands in a short period of time, and we are pleased that this provider has now joined us.
“The Dutch gambling market is facing a number of interesting challenges, which we can best tackle in close cooperation. Now that ComeOn has become a member of us, we are even stronger in that respect.”
Founded in 2008, ComeOn Group now consists of over 500 employees operating across 15 different brands in various countries globally. In the Netherlands, the operator’s offerings include casino, live casino and sportsbook.
Back in September, the Netherlands’ government presented its budget for 2025, revealing a gambling tax increase which will be completed in two steps, initially increasing from 30.5% to 34.2% in 2025, before increasing again to a final figure of 37.8% in 2026.
This tax will be paid on winnings of more than €449 from a lottery or casino in the Dutch market.
Following this announcement, NOGA released a joint statement alongside Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders (VNLOK – Licensed Dutch Online Gambling Providers) and VAN Kansspelen, stating that they believe the tax increase will cause more operators to leave the regulated market, resulting in decreased tax revenue.
The statement read: “The regulated gaming sector (represented by trade associations NOGA, VAN Kansspelen and VNLOK) reacts with great concern to the government’s intention to increase the gambling tax from 30.5%, 34.2% in 2025, to ultimately 37.8% in 2026.
“In view of the phased introduction, the government shows some recognition of the risks of counterproductive effects on gambling policy objectives and the public purse, but does not allay concerns about the continued existence of regulated gambling offerings. This underlines the need to map the effects of the gambling tax, in conjunction with other announced policy changes, ongoing evaluations and previous parliamentary decisions, more fundamentally and carefully.”
The statement continued: “All the facts and figures indicate that the tax increase will lead to a further depletion of the regulated supply. Tax revenues will fall as a result. At the same time, an increase in illegal and therefore riskier gambling is to be expected.
“This is to the detriment of the general policy objectives of the Dutch gambling policy, which specifically focus on consumer protection and the prevention of fraud, crime and gambling addiction. If this is abandoned, social costs will increase and therefore mean additional financial setbacks.
“The members of NOGA, VAN Kansspelen and VNLOK call on the government to bring the financial targets in line with the gambling policy, and to discuss this with the parties involved. In this context, the social importance of the safe and regulated range of games of chance on the one hand and the income for the state treasury on the other hand will have to be balanced with each other.
“For these purposes, it is essential that the proper exploitation of legal supply remains possible, and it is precisely this that will come under serious further pressure as a result of the proposed tax increase.”