Betting in Amsterdam
Casino facilities in Holland were first offered in Zandvoort in 1974 but capital city Amsterdam has since grown to become the country’s leading gambling hotspot. With strict government controls in place, that situation is unlikely to change soon.
When arriving in Holland, Gambling enthusiasts encounter their very first casino before they even leave Schiphol International Airport. The casino is positioned before the customs and immigration desks, so even passengers making connecting flights can wager while they wait.
A monopoly known as “Holland Casino” manages the state Lottery along with over 12 casinos throughout the nation. Other sub-licenced casinos known as “fair play centres” are also controlled by them. The venue located at Schiphol Airport facilitates nearly 100 slot machines as well as tables for Roulette and Blackjack.
Holland Casino Amsterdam can be found in the centre of the city and is the Dutch monopoly’s primary establishment. It boasts over 92 square feet of floor space which accommodates 55 tables for games such as Poker, Punto Banco, Sic Bo, Caribbean Stud, Roulette and Blackjack. The casino also has two restaurants on site. An admission fee is charged and punters are required to be at least 18 years old.
Holland Casino’s local Fair Play Centre is situated in Amsterdam’s central main square. The venue is open every day except for Sundays - from 10am until midnight and offers 30 gaming machines. There are numerous casinos in this area, making it comparable to the Las Vegas Strip, only on a much smaller scale. The Merkur Casino Amsterdam is located in the same vicinity, its opening hours are the same but with the added bonus of trading on Sundays. The brand “Merkur Gaming” is one of the leading providers of casino machines, AWP and video lottery terminals in Europe. They operate five licensed casinos in Holland. In 2007, JVH Gaming & Entertainment Group established a group of licensed venues called “Flash Casinos”. The venues offer a variety of gambling opportunities such as Poker, Roulette, fruit machines and other games of chance. The group later opened “Jacks Casino” in the city’s main square. Another gaming venue in the area has chosen an interesting name of “Las Vegas Casino-Amsterdam”. It is one of nine games establishments throughout the country under the name of Las Vegas. In these gaming halls punters can enjoy bingo, games machines, roulette and wagering on horse racing. Residents tend to warn visitors away from the “slot machine casinos” which can be found in Amsterdam’s well-known Red Light District. These venues appear to be reputable with names like Lucky Play or Macau Amusement Palace; however, the odds of any substantial wins are highly unlikely.
