Broadcasters Ignore Dutch Online Gambling Law

All forms of gambling in the Netherlands is legal and they have 14 land-based casinos in the country. Unfortunately, the gambling industry is highly regulated by the government through a state monopoly known only as Holland Casino. Most companies go along with the government monopoly, except for the nation’s broadcasters. The Dutch Justice Ministry recently released figures showing that the government yielded over 50 million euros in seized property that was confiscated due to deals between the Ministry and commercial broadcasters in the Netherlands. The nation’s broadcasters are suspected of breaking the laws by offering mobile gambling.

The commercial broadcasters arranged a plea deal with the Justice Ministry in order to come into compliance. Any mobile phone related gambling in the Netherlands is prohibited and the government is against online gambling as well. Their isn’t much that the government can do to stop online gambling. Their only weapon is to criminalize advertising for online gambling sites within the Netherlands. While the Justice Ministry has already seized 50 million euros for gambling-related offenses, it wouldn’t be surprising if they seize additional funds for gambling ads as well.

The European Union continues to put pressure on the Netherlands to update their gambling laws in order to come into compliance with other member states. This would mean that they would need to allow foreign operators within the EU and end the government’s gambling monopoly.