Paying Game Tax
Tips & Important Information
- If you regularly make winnings it is advisable to open a separate bank account for all your casino transactions. On this account you can deposit money with which you will play at the casino, but you can also let the winnings come in on this account. A Paypal account, Skrill, Neteller or UKash account is of course also a possibility.
- Make sure you keep track of both your expenses (stakes) and your income (winnings) in, for example, a cash book. This way you will have all the information you need for your tax return in one place.
- If you are a bit handy with a program such as Excel (or another calculation program) then it is useful to include your profits in this. By means of a formula you can let the program calculate how much gambling tax you should pay on your winnings. This way you won’t get any surprises afterwards!
- If you make (money) winnings in one month then you must submit these winnings to the tax authorities the following month.
- Online casinos do not deduct taxes from cash winnings. You are always responsible yourself to take care of these tax issues.
- If one month you make a large profit and the next month you make a loss, the profit cannot be offset against the loss.
- Pay attention to which country an online casino operates from. If you win a prize in a game of chance of which the organization is not located in the Netherlands then you must also submit a gaming tax return. The form with which you can do this can be found on the website of the tax authorities. This applies to both cash prizes and goods won.
- Do you need help with your tax return or are certain matters unclear to you? Then always contact the tax authorities or your own tax advisor as soon as possible.
- Do you have a joint financial household with your partner, i.e. a tax partner? Withheld gaming tax cannot be divided between yourself and your tax partner.
Frequently asked questions about Gambling tax
Do I or the casino pay the gaming tax?
Do I or the casino pay the gaming tax?
The gaming tax is paid by the gaming provider if you play at an online casino within the EU. It is important to look out for licensed operators from Malta or Cyprus.
As of January 1, 2021, if you play at a casino licensed by the Gaming Authority, the gaming tax will already be withheld by the operator itself.
This way you never have to worry about paying tax. Please note that the tax authorities do require you to fill out a form where you indicate how much money you have won. Since 1981, the rule has been that the tax liability is shifted to the organizer rather than the winner.
Do I have to pay tax on online games of chance?
If the gaming provider is located within the EU, you pay no tax. You also do not have to file a tax return. Please note that amounts over 30,000 euros are considered as assets. Therefore, in these cases you must pay capital gains tax on funds won.
How much gaming tax do I have to pay?
As of 2018, the tax rate for online games of chance is 30.1%. You pay tax on amounts above 449 euros and the difference between wagers and winnings within a calendar month is considered.
Do I have to pay gambling tax at Holland Casino?
At Holland Casino you are playing at a legal state-owned casino. Therefore, all winnings at Holland Casino are completely tax-free.
You do not have to pay gambling tax if you win money at the Holland Casino.
How do I file a tax return?
If you play at a foreign online casino, you must fill out a form of the tax authorities. This form can be found on the website of the tax authorities. State how much money you have won and how much money you have wagered.
The coming years
How the future of the policy on gambling in the Netherlands will look like is still uncertain. What is certain is that the Dutch Betting and Gaming Act of 1964 will be updated. When more information about these changes is announced, the updated information will be included on this website.
If you have a tax adviser and play games of chance yourself, it is advisable to talk to him or her about the possible changes within the Dutch Betting and Gaming Act. Also keep a close eye on the annual exempt amount for gaming tax.