The Dutch government faces a battle with Betfair

The Dutch government faces a court battle with UK betting firm Betfair, denying the government’s is protectionist and seeking to shut down foreign online gaming operators. Dutch banks were requested by the ministry to block the payment of bets made over the internet as Dutch laws did not allow for the licensing of internet gambling companies, it was “inappropriate for banks to provide facilities to the providers of illegal games of chance”.

Betfair called such actions a desperate move in order to be protected the position of De Lotto, the Dutch state monopoly, and has formally complaint to the European Commission. The internal markets commissioner for Europe, Charlie McCreevy replied that the Dutch are in direct contravention of the rules of the internal markets and the matter will be investigated. Times Online