Holland Casino is set to hold further discussions with trade union De Unie after rejecting almost all proposals put forward during the first round of talks.
Representatives from both Holland Casino and De Unie met last week for an initial collective labor agreement (CLA) meeting. Proposals from De Unie covered wages, holidays, working conditions and other benefits for staff.
However, Holland Casino is hesitant to make too many changes due to “material uncertainty” over its financial position. This primarily relates to increases in the gaming tax, which is set to rise to 37.8% of gross gaming revenue from January 2026. This would follow an initial rise to 34.2% in January of this year.
As such, Holland Casino said it is keen on a one-year CLA. However, it indicated it would like wages to rise for employees.
“Holland Casino does want to grant a wage increase of 1% as of January 2026,” De Unie said. “This could be 2.5% if the second increase in gaming tax does not go ahead.”
De Unie Urges Perspective from Holland Casino
In response, De Unie said it is committed to a full wage increase for staff. It said the operator should not allow the burden of potentially higher tax to impact employees.
De Unie said: “If the second tranche of gambling tax goes through, what will be the consequences for purchasing power in the long term, according to Holland Casino? Holland Casino already has very limited room, but what will happen in the upcoming collective labor agreements?
“De Unie wants to see perspective. We want to know Holland Casino’s vision on the short- and long-term regarding wage development for our members. It cannot be that the consequences of the second increase in gambling tax must be coughed up by employees.”
Aside from wages, De Unie called for May 5 – a day on which the Netherlands celebrates the end of the Second World War and the liberation of the country – to become a holiday for workers. It is also seeking clarification on informal care and working from home.
Next Round of Talks Due May 19
Given the lack of progress in the initial talks, De Unie said it expects difficult negotiations in the next round. The two parties are due to meet again on May 19, but De Unie said further negotiation days are already planned for June as an agreement is not yet close.
“De Unie is concerned that if wages do not increase or only increase to a very limited extent, employees will essentially pay for the tax increase. This could send the wrong message to politicians,” De Unie said.
