Dutch land operators fear introduction of online gambling

The introduction of legalised online gambling in the Netherlands next year (see previous reports) surfaced in the media again this week when the land gambling trade body, VAN Speelautomaten voiced its concerns about the increased competition and differentiated tax rate.

The Association claims that the introduction of online gambling will lead to major cutbacks in their sector, placing up to 6,000 jobs at risk.

The lower rate of taxation planned for online operators is also a bone of contention with the Association, which says that this constitutes unfair competition. Land slot machine activity is taxed at 29 percent, while providers of online gambling will only have to pay 20 percent.

The gambling games in amusement arcades and cafes are also bound by stricter rules than games of chance on the internet, and VAN Speelautomaten says that many cafes run the risk of losing customers when they can no longer offer slot machines.

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