The Netherlands to Legalize Internet Gambling

Recently, a number of European countries including Italy and Spain have moved towards regulating the internet gambling industry within their countries. It now looks like the Netherlands will be the next country to establish regulations and issue gaming licenses to gambling operators.

Many citizens have been ignoring the current gambling ban on internet gambling and the new Dutch government is looking towards making a legislative change. Fredrik Teeven, the State Secretary of Security and Justice, addressed the Dutch parliament in support of changing current laws and allowing citizens to legally use internet bingo, sports and poker sites. Based on other European countries that have legalized the industry, The Netherlands has seen how regulations can provide a steady stream of money from taxing gambling operators. In addition, citizens will benefit as they will now be protected by their own government.

The Netherlands will most likely follow the model set forth by Denmark since it was approved by the European Commission (EC) and because the Justice Ministry believes that the Belgian model may not meet the legal demands of the laws of the European Union. For the last 50 years there has been a controversial 50-year state monopoly. Most likely, foreign operators who are given licenses in the Netherlands will pay more than operators from the country but all internet-based operators will pay less than their land-casino counterparts.

There have also been recent reports that the Dutch Gaming Authority sent letters to operators with clients in the Netherlands stating that they are no longer allowed to accept Dutch players. The implication is that if operators continue to accept Dutch players they will not be allowed to have a license once the market is regulated.