Dutch caution

[jetset]

DUTCH SENATE TAKES A MORE CAUTIOUS APPROACH

Proposal to give state-owned Holland Casino an exclusive three year run is rejected

Dutch media reports indicate that a controversial proposal before the Dutch Senate to give an exclusive and protectionist three year online gambling license for the Netherlands to the state-owned Holland Casino.com has been rejected, suggesting a more cautious approach by Dutch legislators acutely aware of the scrutiny of the European Commission (see previous InfoPowa reports)

It is not yet known how this will impact the Internet operations of the casino, which has recently been in the throes of an extensive revamp, working with turnkey provider Cryptologic.

The Netherlands has been at the centre of many disputes in which gambling companies in other European Union nations sought to claim their right to the free movement of goods and services between the 27 nations in the trade bloc. State monopoly De Lotto has fought and locally won determined legal actions to exclude competition for its luctrative exclusivity and the country has been warned by the EU enforcement agency that its practices are not compliant with EU requirements.

Earlier this year a vote on the subject scheduled for the Senate was postponed by Minister of Justice Ernst Hirsch Ballin, who reasoned he was concerned that the measure would be rejected. And there have been reports that the government was also mulling the introduction of plans to prosecute Dutch banks and financial institutions that processed payments headed to online gambling sites.

The European Commission has been increasing the pressure on EU member nations with gaming monopolies to bring them into compliance with EU directives that guarantee fellow members free movement of goods and services in terms of Article 49 of the EU Treaty.

[jetset]

CRYPTO SAYS DUTCH VOTE WILL HAVE NO MATERIAL IMPACT (Update)

Holland Casino bid for three year online monopoly dislocated

This week's 35 - 37 vote Dutch Senate defeat of an attempt to grant the state-owned Holland Casino.com an exclusive three year license for the Netherlands will have no material affect on the casino's new software provider, Cryptologic has advised.

The bill failed to pass the upper house of the Dutch parliament after being approved by the lower house in 2006. It would have given a Holland Casino revamped by Cryptologic exclusive online gambling rights in the Netherlands.

Major online gambling copmpanies based in other EU nations, such as PartyGaming, Bwin and Sportingbet could have suffered if the plans had been approved, the Reuters news agency reports. It is understood that the Dutch online gambling market could number as many as 400 000 players.

Europe is grappling with Internet betting, with 10 EU nations under the eye of the European Commission for monopolistic and protectionist online gambling policies.

In February 2008, the European Commission gave Greece and the Netherlands a final warning before court action over restrictions in their gaming markets in a push by Brussels to boost competition.

Dublin-based Cryptologic Limited sais that while it had hoped to benefit from the establishment of the exclusive Holland Casino license, the company has been fully compensated for its development work and has other revenue-generation initiatives underway in both Europe and Asia.

"While advocates of safe, secure and regulated e-gaming are disappointed with the Dutch decision, CryptoLogic never places all its bets on one table," said Brian Hadfield, CryptoLogic's President and CEO. "That's why this decision will have no material impact on our business. We recognised the challenge in Holland early and prepared our business by accelerating other revenue-generating initiatives."

CryptoLogic expects to benefit from various new initiatives this spring and summer. These include the release of non-download poker for all customers; the launch of the new World Poker Tour casino; a fresh release of casino games; and new software development for Betsafe, Sun Poker and World Poker Tour's German- and Spanish-language products. The company also has a healthy pipeline of potential new licensees.

"CryptoLogic will continue to advocate regulation as the logical solution for all Internet gaming stakeholders - including players, investors and taxpayers," Hadfield said.

[maaster]

Makes you wonder if they already paid for the crypto license? which is now worth nothing?? well i guess the dutch government has a habit off throwing money away

But this is a good development... All that bullshit from the government wanting to stretch the stategamblemonopoly another three years with a crappy "online experiment"

free parking! that's what we want!