It is quite clear that the Netherlands will not be done with its online gambling legislation until the first half of 2015. Yet, Kansspelautoriteit, the local betting and gaming regulatory body, has just signed an agreement with Maltese Lotteries and Gaming Authority (hereinafter referred to as the LGA) for mutual help and collaboration between the two regulators.
Marja Appelman, Kansspelautoriteit’s current CEO, stated that this was a significant step towards introducing a process of sharing of regulatory practices between the gambling authorities of the two countries.
According to her, this agreement would bring considerable benefits to both players and operators in Malta and the Netherlands.
Joseph Cuschieri, the LGA’s chief executive officer, claimed that the agreement pointed to the fact that both countries are well-aware of the mutual principles that need to be applied in the regulation of online gambling. What is more, their partnership will certainly ensure that consumers will be provided with “just, responsible and safe” gambling services. Mr. Cuschieri shared that this will be achieved by means of modern software and thorough monitoring.
It could be said that the agreement is in alignment with the strategy that Jan Suyver, chairman of Kansspelautoriteit, introduced to the media a year ago. He stated back then that the Dutch gaming regulatory body would need to “work closely” with other countries. However, Mr. Suyver believed that this cooperation could only begin when the country’s online gambling laws come into effect.
Online gambling legislation is expected to be applied in the Netherlands some time in the first half of 2015. According to a bill that passed back in July 2014, a regulated market for online operations needs to be created. Both national and international gaming providers will be allowed to operate only if they are awarded licenses by the country’s regulatory body.
It was in July 2014 again when the Council of Ministers of the Netherlands approved a legal document, according to which providers of online gambling will need to pay a 20% gross revenue tax. By comparison, local land-based casinos are currently paying a 29% tax.
The tax measure that Dutch Ministers approved was not particularly welcomed by local gaming providers. They claimed that Kansspelautoriteit’s proposed system was way too expensive and it might affect the gambling industry in the country in a quite negative manner.
According to Bas Jongmans, a local gaming attorney, the new law is not offering the most efficient options, but those which are most politically acceptable. He also predicted that these regulations will lead to operators’ withdrawal from Dutch market.
It seems that Jongmans’ views are shared by a local business association for slot machines. According to the organization, hundreds of people will lose their jobs due to the new tax measure. The fact that land-based casinos and online gambling operators will be asked to pay different taxes might inflict serious damage on live gambling providers’ businesses.
