DONNER MOTION TO TRIAL DUTCH ONLINE GAMBLING PASSED

(471) (18-September-2006)

But the Netherlands monopoly will be in control

InfoPowa recently reported on attempts by Dutch Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner to obtain the approval of the Netherlands Parliament for a trial period of online gambling.  Keeping the Dutch state monopoly alive, the Minister ensured that the application related only to the state-owned Holland Casino . 
 
Last week the Lower House in the Netherlands Parliament gave its support to the Donner proposal, paving the way for a two year trial period license for Internet gaming. State-owned Holland Casino will be exclusively issued the trial license, ensuring that it will be the only online casino gambling venue recognised and permitted by the Dutch government.
 
Local experts estimate that around 300 000 people gamble online 'illegally' in the Netherlands, and surmise that the nation would like to attract these gambliers exclusively to a state-controlled site like Holland Casino. The Minister says that if the number of online gamblers in the nation has increased significantly by the end of the trial period, he would regard the trial as unsuccessful.
 
The new gambling site will not have set gambling limits, except for people between the ages of 18 and 23 who will be limited to Euro 100 per week. There are no limits on other age groups because this was regarded as being unnecessarily restrictive for higher income players who can afford to wager more.
 
Holland Casino is the sole permitted gambling medium for the nation and is state-controlled and operated.  It has been at the centre of disputes with gambling groups domiciled in other EU countries, who argue that it is a monopoly which excludes them from the EU privilege of free trade over the borders of member countries.  The Dutch government does not accept the argument and Donner has said in the past that sovereign restrictions are necessary to prevent gambling addiction in his country.