Dutch lotteries to merge?

The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reports that the Netherlands State Lottery (Staatsloterij) and charity lottery De Lotto are investigating a possible merger to allow the combined entity to better compete in the approaching regulated Dutch online gaming market.

The legalisation and liberalisation of the market to permit a more open and competitive environment that includes online gambling is scheduled to take place in January 2015 .

A spokesman for the Staatsloterij said that by merging, the two lotteries would be able to more effectively compete in the new market, creating a powerful organisation with annual sales in excess of Euro 1.2 billion.

Both parties this week confirmed to De Telegraaf that exploratory talks have for some time been held in secret, with both motivated by a desire to compete strongly with foreign companies that will be able to access the Dutch market next year.

Staatsloterij spokesman David Selier told the newspaper that contingent on the merger taking place, the combined companies would compete for licensing under the new Dutch regulations.

“We are exploring possibilities for cooperation in order to achieve efficient management and sustainable business which contributes revenues to the State and, where possible, civil society,” he said.

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