Dutch government could open iGaming market

Current illegal operators could benefit from new online gaming regulation in the Netherlands.

Netherlands.- The Dutch government is evaluating a new online gaming regulation that could grant official operating licences for companies that are currently offering illegal iGaming platforms in the market. International companies would be able to apply for new gaming licences when legislators open up the sector to competition.

According to local press, justice minister Sander Dekker would have allowed current illegal operators to apply for a licence, regardless of what legislators have discussed during parliament’s debates addressing the issue. Meanwhile, the Parliament will continue discussions on legalising online gaming operations when the European summer ends.

Dutch experts expect that the government will approve legislation that will finally set a legal market for the  iGaming sector. Currently, the Netherlands Gaming Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has set several fines that targeted Dutch players without a gaming licence in the country.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands’ Minister for Legal Protection, Sander Dekker, has asked the legislature’s lower house to move forward with an online gambling liberalisation plan. He wrote a letter explaining what steps his office was set to take to ensure consumer protection measures around the segment.

Senators are set to resume the debate on the Remote Gaming Bill, which was passed by the lower house two years ago but failed to repeat in the Senate. However, as Dekker pushes for the segment’s liberalisation, it is expected that the piece of legislation will be – at least – debated.