BETFAIR'S DUTCH LITIGATION STALLS

16 May 2008

Legal delays cited for 2 year wait


The Dutch news agency ANP has reported that the online gambling group Betfair may have to wait for up to 2 years for a decision on its litigation against the Dutch gambling monopoly De Lotto.

The case has been delayed pending the outcome of a European court decision on the dispute, which started when Betfair was refused a licence to operate in the Netherlands.

The Dutch have been particularly fierce in their defence of a state monopoly on gambling in the country that excludes offerings from companies in other EU member states. This has brought the Dutch to a final warning by the European Commission and the possibility of an appearance before the European Court of Justice.

A statement from a government Justice ministry spokesperson earlier this week suggested that the Dutch plan to initiate UIGEA-like legislation that will require financial companies in the country to reject online gambling financial transactions.

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