First casinos in the Netherlands

The history of gambling in the Netherlands is rooted in the era of seafarers, merchants and fair entertainment. Although the country is associated with Protestant restraint, excitement as a social phenomenon has always been present here - from card shops of the 17th century to the creation of the state network Holland Casino.

1) Excitement in the era of the Golden Age (XVII-XVIII centuries)

During the period of rapid development of trade and maritime expansion, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague became centers of the European bourgeoisie. Private evenings were held in the houses of merchants and aristocrats with card games, bets on horses and early prototypes of roulette.

The games had the status of "entertainment for the elite," but the authorities were wary of them: excitement was considered a risk to moral order and public peace. Even then, the first restrictions and city fines appeared for holding unauthorized gambling meetings.

2) XIX century: from salons to public halls

With the development of urbanization, gambling comes out of private homes. In port cities, clubs and halls are opened for sailors and merchants, where you could play poker, dice or primitive machines.

These establishments existed in a semi-legal status: the authorities often closed them, but the demand only grew. Games became an element of leisure for the middle class, especially in tourist areas and resort towns.

3) XX century: state control and first licenses

After World War II, the Dutch government decided to bring the gambling industry under strict control. In the 1960s and 70s, there was an active debate about the admissibility of casinos as a form of entertainment.

This paves the way for the creation of a state-owned casino network - Holland Casino.

4) 1976 - the birth of the first legal casino

The first official casino in the Netherlands opened in Zandvoort (Holland Casino Zandvoort) in 1976. The place was chosen symbolically: a seaside resort, the proximity of Amsterdam, a tourist flow.

Holland Casino became a monopoly in the field of full-length casinos - with roulette, blackjack and poker. The concept combined European luxury, strict control and a culture of "responsible play."

Next came branches in Rotterdam, Nijmegen, The Hague, Utrecht and other cities, forming a network known for its security, service and transparency.

5) Cultural influence and image of the "Dutch casino"

Design and atmosphere. Minimalism, comfort and rejection of ostentatious luxury: the casino was perceived as "intelligent entertainment."

Ethics and service. A clear dress code, mandatory registration, courtesy of staff - elements that distinguished Dutch establishments from American "show casinos."

Social mission. Holland Casino's profits went to the state budget and to public programs, not to private hands.

6) Network expansion and modern formats

By the 1990s-2000s Holland Casino had over a dozen branches around the country, including Amsterdam, Enschede, Breda, Lelystad, Eindhoven, Walkenburg.

In each branch, a single standard was maintained - strict identification, limit control, a ban on aggressive advertising and an emphasis on entertainment, not winning.

7) From offline to the digital age

When the Netherlands legalized online gambling in 2021, Holland Casino became one of the first to obtain a KSA online license and launch Holland Casino Online.

Thus ended the historical cycle: the state monopolist, who began with one hall by the sea, became an omnichannel operator connecting heritage, responsibility and manufacturability.

The first casinos of the Netherlands are not just places of play, but a reflection of the national philosophy: control, not ban; entertain but protect. From 17th century saloons to 21st century Holland Casino, the country has gone from spontaneous excitement to a managed and socially responsible market where every spin and every fish is regulated with precision worthy of Dutch order culture.