Betsson calls for EU to take action against Dutch gaming regulation
Operator says it will take “all action necessary” to defend any attempt of enforcement action
Betsson has called on the European Commission to re-open court proceedings against the Dutch Gaming Authority, claiming its new enforcement policy is not compliant with European law.
A Betsson statement said European Commission proceedings brought against Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) in 2006 and 2008 were paused after the authority pledged to liberalise the market but should be re-opened since the current political situation means new legislation is unlikely until “after the next election in four years”.
“The market, to date, remains closed,” the statement continued. “The political situation places the likelihood of the introduction of any law liberalising the Dutch market and bringing it in line with the EU law principles clearly in doubt”.
The firm purchased Dutch brands Kroon and Orange under prior criteria introduced by the KSA in 2012, but recent changes to the policy have put it at risk of being penalised by the authority.
“As a gesture of goodwill, we will continue to operate in accordance with the criteria as was put in place in 2012 but we will not change operations further as the change in policy has no legal basis,” Betsson said.
The firm also warned it was willing to take “all action necessary to defend any attempt of enforcement,” pointing to the recent case between Unibet and Hungary as an example.
The KSA has already faced criticism of its new enforcement policy from the EGBA but said fines imposed on illegal operators have been challenged in the past and had “always passed the test” so it would continue enforcing its current policy.
Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice programme manager Dennis van Breeman said the “complex political situation” meant a regulated market was unlikely before H2 2018, while the new Dutch government coalition contains two parties who oppose online gambling.