Holland Casino Introduces Double Zero Roulette to Combat Rising Gambling Tax
Holland Casino, the Netherlands' largest casino chain, is adding a second zero (00) to its roulette tables in response to increased gambling taxes and rising operational costs. This change shifts from the traditional European single-zero format to the American-style roulette wheel.
This modification will increase the house edge from 2.7% to 5.26%, nearly doubling the casino's advantage. For comparison, European roulette with the "en prison" rule traditionally offers players a more favorable 1.35% house edge.
The decision comes as Holland Casino faces:
- Gambling tax increase from 30.5% to 34.2% in 2025
- Expected cost increase of €30 million (US$31 million)
- Rising wages, interest rates, and energy costs
Roulette wheel at Holland Casino
The casino acknowledges this experiment may backfire, potentially causing players to leave earlier and reduce overall revenue. Additional cost-cutting measures include potential job reductions among their 3,500 employees, aiming for a 20% cost reduction.
Historical Context:
- Contrary to popular belief, roulette originally featured two zeros in 18th century France
- Single-zero roulette was introduced in the mid-1800s by the Blanc brothers in Bad Homburg, Germany
- The single-zero version became standard in Europe by the early 20th century, while America retained the double-zero format
This move marks a significant shift in European casino operations, where single-zero roulette has been the standard for over a century.