Holland Casinos: Isn't It Peculiar

The upper house of parliament in Holland has ruled earlier this week on the proposed online gambling bill. The bill, which had its fair share of support, certainly among the lower house members who approved it prior to the upper house vote, and was even expected to pass by many in the industry, was rejected by a narrow vote.

This sets back Holland Casino that hoped to operate its monopoly gambling website for three more years, and for MicroGaming, which was to provide the software. (In a separate story, MicroGaming said it will not be badly affected from the vote.)

Surely it is a strong statement. A grey cloud in these early days of spring, just as we were witnessing the warming up to online gambling in Holland.

One does not need to go far to see what I am talking about when talking about a positive atmosphere. In Amsterdam these very days, over a thousand industry people - over 600 casino affiliates, many gambling website operators, and other industry analysts - are meeting for the annual Casino Affiliate Convention. Yes, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Perhaps it is only a coincidence, but the mixed signs are a sign nonetheless.