Dutch Government Attempts Their Own UIGEA

Dutch justice minister, Ernst Hirsch Ballin is looking to pursue legal action against online gambling sites that operate "illegally" the Netherlands.

Needless to say he has the backing of the state owned sports betting and lottery operator - De Lotto. A spokes person for the organisation we reported to say the the minister was "fedup with illegal organizations operating in the Netherlands."

According to ANP, the Netherlands national news agency, the ministry is looking to target local as well as foreign companies who are refusing to shut down their sites and stop targeting Dutch consumers.

Mr. Hirsch Ballin has been warning Dutch banks that they are responsible to block gambling transactions and are in violation of  Dutch law if they accept illegal gambling transactions.

In February 2008 legislation was proposed that would blacklist illegal gambling operators and that banks would have to block transactions originating from the list. However, as is the case withy the UIGEA in the United States, that banks are kicking in their heels. The Netherlands Bankers Association, thus far does not seem to want to cooperate and a spokes person has said that their job is not law enforcement.

Dutch law requires gambling sites to be licenses in order to operate but no license applications have ever been been approved.

In the meantime it seems as if Dutch consumers are gambling online more than ever, according to a survey conduced by market research firm Motivaction. The survey estimates that Dutch consumers are spending 450 million Euros a year on illegal Internet gambling sites, at an average of 82 Euros a month.

The Dutch government appears reluctant to implement a proper regulatory regime like the one being followed in United Kingdom which smacks of protectionism. The UK allows sites to advertise if they are in "white listed" licensing jurisdictions, as is the case with all the online casinos we promote here at Gambling Kingz.

The Dutch approach is very similar to the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) which has come under huge pressure in the United States.