Dutch Gambling Authority asks Operators to Pre-Apply for Licensing

Marja Appelman, the CEO of Kansspelautoriteit, of the Dutch gambling authority asked for online casino operators to join the online gaming market by pre-applying for licensing. Appelman states that this will enable operators to work more closely with Dutch authorities and to stay up to date with the licensing process.

The Legalization of Online Gaming in Holland

Kansspelautoriteit’s CEO stated that the legal framework that will be used to define the online gaming market is not ready and that there is some uncertainty with regards to licensing requirements such as liability, operations and gambling prevention. The new Dutch legislation will likely be ready in the latter half of 2015. Parliament is still discussing the precise details of this legislation but operators that pre-apply will help Dutch authorities learn more about the operators that are interested in joining the market.

Criticism of Land-Based Casinos

The decision to push back the rollout of online gaming may actually be motivated by the criticism Kansspelautoriteit has received from land-based casinos. In reality, the Dutch gaming authority is likely weighing the consequences of the criticism and how it could impact the online gambling market. The Dutch Council of Ministers approved the language of a gaming bill that had two different taxes for land-based and online casinos in 2014.

This caused land-based casinos to accuse the gaming authority of increasing their expenses so that they are destined to fail. Dutch gaming attorney Bas Jongmans said that this legislation is not based on efficiency but what is acceptable politically. Jongmans said that this legislation discriminates against land-based casinos and will not give them the opportunity to get involved in the online gaming industry. As a result, Jongmans says that this will cause investors to shy away from this market and it will ultimately result in disappointment.