Belgium Offers NL Another Source of Ready Licensees
Published May 19, 2021 by Lee R
The Belgian contingent has thrown their hats in the ring for the tantalizing NL market.
Belgian operators are reportedly a prominent group primed for entry into the upcoming Netherlands market.
Belgian Contingent
According to gaming analyst Willem van Oort, Belgian operators are one of three significant gaming contingents making a significant mark on the market when it opens in October.
New Evidence?
Writing in Gambling Insider Magazine, Van Oort indicated that while specific operators are not yet known, "anecdotal data” points to Belgian operators “looking to expand their online operations into the Netherlands.”
An Unseen Interest
Van Oort said that despite political lobbying for the original legislation Remote Gambling Act being dominated by Dutch land-based incumbents versus major international online operators, the experience of Belgian operators means they are likely to join the competitive NL iGaming market from the outset.
NL Potential
There apparently will be plenty of pie to split, with the NK market expected by many to rapidly grow into one of the EU's largest markets.
Van Oort's latest insight brings in another dimension of interested parties who are set to enter the Dutch market and enhance competition in the market where sports betting is expected to lead the private market after lotteries, followed by online casino gaming.
Casino Breakdown
Interest among casino products in NL is led by roulette (38%); followed by blackjack (31 %) and slots (25%), with bingo, baccarat and online poker accounting for the remaining 12% among players.
Data Support
Online Casino Ground called the data an indication of “a healthy start for the online market with players ready to embrace the new offering,” and suggested that “major industry names” of all types have already expressed interest in entering the Dutch market.
Bigger than Germany?
Dutch players are further reportedly set to spend more money than most other EU markets, with the Dutch market considered to have higher potential revenue than another long-awaited EU market which will also be launching regulation this year: Germany.
Upward NL Market Trend
Research figures indicate the estimated total of active Dutch players has increased from 500,000 in 2015 to 1.2 million in 2019, with gross gaming revenue rising from €296m to €3.1bn.
Outlook
It is no surprise that a neighbouring cadre of operators such as Belgian would be priming themselves for entry.
