Netherlands Approves Regulation, Will Take a Few Years to Implement

Operators will undoubtedly be lining up to apply, and do whatever they can to speed up the implementation of regulation in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands has approved regulation.

Dutch Senate Approves

In one of the more lugubrious and extended regulation referendums, the Dutch Senate after over three years of tweaks approved the Remote Gambling Bill.

Originally approved by the Dutch Parliament three and half years ago, the Senate has added it vote of approval, enabling Dutch Gaming Authority Kansspelautoriteit to accept applications for a new regulated market.

Licencing Starts in 2020

The licencing process reportedly will begin in the middle of next year 2020.

After licencing closes, a new regulatory organization is due to be formed for January 21, 2021.

Eligibility

The soon to be amended rules under the Dutch Betting and Gambling Act DBGA will make it possible to obtain a license for both land-based and online games of chance, with permits available only to operators based in the EU, with some exceptions to the rule to be available.

Fees and Taxes

Licence fees will be €40,000.00. Taxes include a gross profit tax rate of 29% for remote and land-based operators, a 0.25% contribution to the addiction fund and a 1.5% contribution to the Gaming Authority on gross results of games.

Spike in Activity

Anticipation has been brimming due to the acceleration in gaming activity across the Netherlands--at a 20% clip between 2016-2018 compared to the two years prior.

Current Model Problematic

The current incomplete regulatory framework has prevented Dutch Gaming Authority Kansspelautoriteit from collecting fines assessed to unlicenced foreign companies serving local gamblers.

The Self-Exclusion Priority

Provisions of the new regulatory model are set to minimize the threat of addiction through requiring all players to register with a centralized self-exclusion program.

Betsson Representative Speaks

One happy operator was Betsson, whose CEO Pontus Lindwall spoke for may operators in saying:

“Finally, there will be modern gambling legislation in one more big monopolistic market in Europe… We welcome the regulation.”

Expected Applications

The Financieele Dagblad reports some 300 companies have expressed interest in operating a gambling website in the Netherlands with 50 expected to apply for a licence in the first round of availability.

Moving Forward..

After such a long wait, the next task appears to be ensuring that long waiting operators do not cut any corners in the licensing or operation procedures.