Holland Casino Initiates Construction on Groningen Replacement Site Following 2017 Fire

Holland Casino has formally begun construction of a new venue at Businesspark Ter Borch. The project follows the complete destruction of its prior Groningen site in a fire in 2017. The operator selected the relocation site in 2023.

A ground-breaking ceremony brought together company employees, construction partners and local officials. Petra de Ruiter, Holland Casino chief executive, said the project marked a significant step after years of preparation.

“Today, together, we are taking an important step towards the future of Holland Casino Groningen,” de Ruiter said.

“Here, we are not only building a new building, but also a place where guests feel welcome and where our employees can work with pride.”

Marcel Thijsen, mayor of Tynaarlo, said the development was significant for the region and could support the growth of Businesspark Ter Borch. The site beside the A7 is expected to prove accessible to visitors from Groningen, Drenthe and surrounding areas.

The venue will focus on sustainability, accessibility and hospitality. It is designed to reflect contemporary guest preferences. Holland Casino has not disclosed the project’s construction schedule, expected opening date, capacity or cost.

German Visitor Draw Near Border

The new location lies around a 40-minute drive from the border with Germany. German visitors represent one of the key demographics for Holland Casino’s land-based offerings, de Ruiter explained in September commentary to iGaming Business.

“German visitors are really interested because we have a different offer from most of the German casinos,” de Ruiter said. “If you look at our land-based casinos, it’s table games, slots, in some cases bingo and, on some evenings, poker. But there are also restaurants, entertainment. It’s an afternoon or evening out. And as I understand from our German guests, it’s a more entertaining evening or afternoon than in some German casinos.”

Online Licence Extension to 2031

Construction commencement coincides with a five-year extension on Holland Casino’s online gambling licence. The extension keeps the regulated online portfolio available in the Dutch market until at least 2031.

De Ruiter emphasised that Holland Casino “will continue to commit to a safe and responsible online offering, where player protection always comes first.” She added that the regulated market must remain attractive enough to channel players away from unregulated providers that lack supervision and protection.

This paired activity shows state-owned operators maintaining physical footprints years after disruption while securing digital positions. The undisclosed timelines for the land-based project leave operators and regional planners without clear markers on added capacity or investment scale in the northern Netherlands.