The casino was the first such facility opened by the Dutch state-owned company 40 years ago.
However, in October 2024 Holland Casino announced that its oldest venue would be closing by February 2025 as part of its drive for financial sustainability.
Sustainability strategy
The operator announced last year a new strategy aimed at tackling the company’s rising costs while continuing to invest in supporting responsible gambling.
The strategy has considered the best locations across the Netherlands for its casinos in the context of maintaining a healthy business.
When Holland Casino confirmed that there would be no prospect “for healthy business operations for Holland Casino Zandvoort”, the operator cited changing visitor behavior, deteriorating market conditions and an overlap with the catchment area of other casinos.
Jobs
Croupier Gerard Boukes, with almost 40 years of service, had the honor of performing the last official act with a ceremonial spin of a roulette wheel just before midnight on 31 January.
The casino’s staff members will be offered roles at other Holland Casino locations, the operator said.
Holland Casino CEO Petra de Ruiter said: “Holland Casino and Zandvoort are forever inextricably linked. Holland Casino will always be part of the Zandvoort story and vice versa. It was our first casino. History was written here.”
‘Essential’ closure
Last year, De Ruiter said: “For Holland Casino, the closure is essential to continue building a sustainable future for the company, in which we can continue to contribute to a safe and responsible gaming climate.
“At the same time, the closure means an emotional farewell to the first location that Holland Casino opened in 1976.”
