Home / Poker News November 2008 / Online poker under scrutiny in Holland
Online poker under scrutiny in Holland
Posted by: James Carter. - Sun, 2008-11-23 09:08
Despite the fact that the Dutch banking institutions have repeatedly stated they wanted no part in law enforcement in a UIGEA like set of restrictions in Holland, and despite the undertaking being illegal according to Dutch end European Union law, Dutch Justice Minister, Hirsch Ballin continues his attempts to push legislation through that would grant a sole license to the state owned Casino Holland to sell online gambling services to the nation. Opposition to Ballin’s proposed legal moves is generally rather widespread, as it’s viewed as a clear state-monopoly assertion attempt.
The Netherlands Bankers Association has pointed out several times that not only would Ballin’s package of measures be unworkable from a practical point of view, it would also be illegal under Dutch law.
In response to that, the Justice Minister has affirmed that banks do not have the authority to decide whether or not they wanted to become law enforcement agencies.
The exclusivity which would be offered to Casino Holland by Ballin’s proposed legislation would also be in blatant contempt of the EU treaties regarding the matter.
In a push to have poker rightfully accepted as a game of skill rather than one of chance, professor Ben Van Der Genugten – who also helped establish the standards for games of chance in Holland - released a study supporting poker’s classification as a game of skill.
Hirsh Ballin dismissed the professor’s findings, stating that poker would indeed be classified as a game of chance regardless of the increasing pressure to have it accepted as a game of skill.
The continued crusade of the Justice Minister aimed at what he considers “illegal online gambling” also includes a call for Dutch internet providers to block sites which the Government has placed on a blacklist.
The latest reaction from the NVB came through spokesman Michel Noordermeer who re-iterated the fact that Dutch banks have no business becoming an extension of the Justice system.
The matter remains pending at several levels of the Dutch government, and it remains to be seen where the country which most view as possibly the staunchest defender of personal freedoms in the world will get to with the matter.
