This is a guest contribution by Willem van Oort, founder of Gaming in Holland and Stefan Vermeulen works as a journalist for several (mostly financial) media. If you would like to submit a contribution please contact Bill Beatty for submission details. Thank you.

The intended privatization of land-based casino chain Holland Casino has taken a decisive step forward. Last week, the Dutch government sent a bill to Parliament containing a proposal to sell the state-controlled casinos. A deal will probably be concluded by late 2017. But how much can the Dutch State expect to get for Holland Casino?

Political background

Back in 2012, the new government coalition consisting of right-liberals (VVD) and social democrats (PvdA) decided the Dutch State no longer needed to keep its monopoly on running casinos. In their coalition agreement, VVD and PvdA agreed that Holland Casino would be privatized within a few years.