Proposed liberation of Dutch online gambling

Draft legislation has been published which would see the end of the Dutch government’s online gambling monopoly, by opening the market to competition.

Online gambling operators would have to pay 20 per cent tax, down from its original 29 per cent proposal, which would have kept tax in line with that currently paid by individual arcade owners and Holland Casino.

This comes after Holland Casino posted a loss of €652,000 last year with falling visitor numbers. Previously it issued an urgent Request for Proposals, seeking online gambling expertise to set up an initially free-to-play casino, bingo and poker site. The plan would be to switch to real-money gambling, once the government approved the legislation.

Current laws prevent foreign online gambling operators from targeting Dutch players however these have been widely flouted. The proposed change raises the prospect of taxation on these companies. The new online market would present an opportunity for Holland Casino to boost flagging revenue.

Legal expert, Pieter Remmers director at Assissa Consultancy Europe, acknowledged the wide disregard for the law, but doubts the significant impact on the land-based industry alone. Even so, he said: “There must be some effect as you can spend your money only once.”

Original Source: Intergame Online