Dutch gaming law expected in early 2019

VP of the local gaming authority confirmed during an event that the new gaming law will be implemented in 2019.

Netherlands.- Henk Kesler, Vice President of the Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit), confirmed during an event held by the European Sports Security Association (ESSA) in London last week that the country will implement a new gaming law on January 1, 2019.

The official said that whilst the date to implement the new regime is at place, they need to hold a number of discussions on the new regulatory scheme in order for it to work as it should. The event named “Integrity in Sports Betting: What’s at Stake?” confirmed the news on a statement released on social media: “Henk Kesler from the Netherlands Gaming Authority tells #ESSAintegrity event that the Dutch gaming law can be expected 1 January 2019!,” said ESSA.

Netherlands has been talking about new gambling regulations for some time now, with companies asking the authorities to set clear measures to operate in the country, but never got as far as revealing a date of implementation.

Last week, the country informed that companies will have to maintain “some form” of physical presence in the country in order to receive an online gambling license. The requirement was issued in a brief section of a new policy program that was presented after four political parties (the VVD, D66, CDA and the Christian Union) came to terms on a coalition agreement. Nonetheless, the issuing of licenses is still far away and operators believe it could be pushed back as far as 2019, since the Senate still has to discuss the Remote Gambling Bill approved by the lower house last year.

Moreover, members of the Parliament announced plans to implement a temporary rise in the current tax rate from July 2018 to January 2019. Taxes would rise from 29 percent to to 30.1 percent and the six month would allow the Kansspelautoriteit to implement all the changes announced in the new law. After the six months, operators in the Netherlands that pay gross gaming revenue from slots, casino and other forms of gambling would go back to the 29 percent rate. This new measure is included in the Dutch government’s budget plan for 2018.