Staatsloterij targeting early Dutch online launch
Dutch National Lottery already in discussions with suppliers and is to prioritise other products, such as bingo, over casino games
The Dutch National Lottery is already in discussions with egaming suppliers regarding its online diversification plans and aims to be live with new products in time for when the market opens early next year.
The Nederlandse Staatsloterij outlined its diversification plans in its 2013 annual report, released last week, and discussed the need to offer new products to “meet changing demands of consumers”.
The report stated the importance of bringing third party suppliers and, speaking to eGaming Review this morning, a spokesperson for Staatsloterij confirmed that talks are already underway.
“If the new Dutch law gives online providers “ under not yet fully known conditions “ the possibility to enter the Dutch online market, the Nederlandse Staatsloterij wants to play its role as well,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also stressed the importance of being able to launch as soon as the online market re-regulates “ expected to be early next year “ in order to compete with foreign operators, and added that particular verticals will be given priority over others.
“We want to offer various games, bingo as an example, and other games will be offered as well but casino games are not our first priority,” the spokesperson added.
The country’s online gambling bill passed the Council of Ministers in February this year, marking a significant step towards the opening of an online market early next year.
Since then a number of operators and suppliers have confirmed their interest in the country, with Playtech signing Holland Casino as a licensee and Betsson acquiring local casino brand Oranje Casino in February.