Dutch Anti-Gambling Laws Cause Frustration

August 12, 2009 | News Category: Gaming Law

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At a time when the European Union is trying to bring their member countries in line with their free trade practices, especially in the area of online casinos, more frustration has set in, and new complaints are being made. This time, the protest is coming from the British government, and concerns the specific area of financial transfers.

As far as their online gambling laws are concerned, the Dutch follow similar policies to the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) that are followed in the United States. While the European Commission and certain EU member countries have been frustrated by this, the British Government have new reasons to complain.

The Dutch justice department had sent a letter to all banks that are operating in the Netherlands earlier this year. Included in this list of banks, are a number of British banks. In the letter, the banks concerned were informed that if they helped to process any financial transactions between online gambling websites and any Dutch citizens, that they would be violating the law. The Dutch anti-gambling laws have made gambling illegal, they do not allow financial transactions between its citizens and any kind of financial institution that operates on Dutch soil.

Although the Dutch government could in theory allow certain online gambling sites to be approved, all are deemed to be “illegal” at this time since they have not yet approved any gambling sites.

The British government has complained to the Dutch Minister of Justice, Ernst Hirsch Ballin. The letter of complaint sent by the Minister of Trade, Lord Davies of Abersoch, explained that since these anti-gamling measures have been put in place, that extra costs are now being forced onto British banks. The extra cost that are incurred when the British banks have extra automation costs while trying to follow the Dutch laws with regard to gambling.

Apart from the letter, Lord Davies wishes to have talks with the Dutch Justice Department and representatives of the British gambling industry. It seems that the reaction regarding possible talks has at least been somewhat positive from the side from the side of the Dutch Justice Department.

There is some hope that talks with the British government will persuade the Dutch government to consider changing their online gambling laws, however, legal action threatened against them by the EU's internal markets commissioner has not yet had any impact when it comes to their anti-gambling laws.