Holland’s plans to reform and regulate online gaming and betting as well as its land-based casino sector will go ahead in partnership and dialogue with all stakeholders, Klaas Dijkhoff, Secretary of State for Security and Justice, announced in his keynote speech at the EUROMAT Gaming Summit in Amsterdam.
Mr Dijkhoff explained that there were approximately 1 million people taking part in online gaming and betting in Holland at the moment, on websites and through apps that were not regulated.
“They don’t provide players with adequate protection against addiction, fraud and crime. And the providers don’t pay tax on games of chance. You will understand that this is especially important for the government,” he commented.
The proposed tax rate for Holland’s regulated online gaming operators is 20% of gross profits.
This is opposed by the European Amusement and Gaming Federation EUROMAT and its members, who claim that it does not provide a level playing field and have filed a complaint to the European Commission with the aim of increasing it to 29%.
In his speech Klaas Dijkhoff acknowledged Euromat’s criticism but commented, “we are in a transition phase. And transition is never easy for anyone.”
He added: “The fact remains that players are already finding their own way on the internet. For them the market has already been modernised. That’s why it’s so important that we follow suit. And make sure this new market is properly regulated.”
The Dutch land-based casino market will also be overhauled, Holland Casino will be privatised and will have to let go of four of its 14 outlets, with two new licences granted by the authorities.
The number of casinos will be restricted to 16 across the country.
The Secretary of State added that there will also be reforms to gaming machines and more scope for innovation by introducing more skill components to games of chance.
source : www.igamingbusiness.com
