Roulette games offered by Holland Casino now feature an additional zero to account for increased taxes imposed on their operations.
In a move aimed at coping with unfavorable headwinds, Holland Casino, the largest casino chain in the Netherlands, has announced that it will be adding an extra zero to its roulette tables. This decision comes as the gambling tax is set to rise from 30.5 percent to 34.2 percent next year, with the company expecting costs to increase by €30 million ($31 million).
The history of roulette reveals that the game's early wheels, invented in 18th century France, featured two zeros. However, by the beginning of the 20th century, the player-friendly single zero version became the norm in Europe. Contrary to common assumption, the double zero in roulette was not introduced by greedy US casino operators, but by French brothers Francois and Louis Blanc in the mid-1800s.
The brothers operated a casino in the German spa town of Bad Homburg, where the city became famous for introducing an additional zero field. This move proved popular with gamblers, causing the Bad Homburg casino to rival the gaming halls of Paris for revenue.
The double zero version of roulette almost doubles the house edge, from 2.7 percent to 5.26 percent. In American roulette, there are usually two zero pockets (0 and 00). On the other hand, European roulette games that employ the "en prison" rule have a lower edge of 1.35 percent, making them more favourable for players.
In an effort to absorb these costs, Holland Casino is also resorting to cost-cutting measures and increasing turnover. These measures are likely to include job cuts, although the number is currently unknown. The company currently employs around 3,500 people and hopes layoffs will reduce costs by 20 percent.
The news was updated on December 15, 2024, at 02:10h. The Palais Royale in 1796 had a roulette wheel with exactly two slots reserved for the bank, but it remains to be seen how the addition of an extra zero will impact Holland Casino's profits in the long run.
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