Dutch Gaming Authority places draft bill in consultation

The Dutch Kansspelautoritieit or Dutch Gaming Authority (DGA) said it is pleased with the Ministry of Security and Justice’s progress of a draft bill regulating online gambling.

The Ministry has placed the bill in consultation until July 21, 2013 after which it will progress to the State Council followed by the House and Senate.

Jan Suyver, chairman of the board of directors of the Gaming Authority said: “Currently online gambling in the Netherlands over the internet is prohibited which means that participants seek to play in an untrusted environment. If online gambling is regulated, then providers and/or operators will have to meet strict conditions to make them eligible for a license from the Gambling Authority. Supervision will be in the area of consumer protection, gambling and combating potential fraud and crime.”

Proceeds of online gambling would be subject to a 20 percent tax rate, lower than the 29 percent currently paid by Holland Casino and Arcade Owners, in order to attract potential licencees.

Licence holders would be required to contribute to a problem gambling fund, offer a range of self analysis tools to customers and ensure customer playing time and balances are up on screen at all times.

Should progress of the draft online gambling bill run smoothly, licences are expected to be issued by January 1, 2015, effectively ending the State’s 50-year monopoly on gambling.

Interested parties and stakeholders can participate in the consultation online at http://www.internetconsultatie.nl/kansspelen_op_afstand