Dutch remote gaming bill expected from 1 January 2019
Vice chairman of the Dutch Gambling Authority Henk Kesler makes prediction at ESSA conference
The Dutch remote gaming bill can be expected to come into force 1 January 2019, according to Henk Kesler, the vice chairman of the Dutch Gambling Authority.
Kesler made the comments at an ESSA integrity event in London on Thursday, which would mean the licence application process would start approximately four-to-six months after that, in mid-2019.
EGR understands the Ministry of Finance envisages the process happening approximately six months sooner, but the KSA and Dutch market experts contacted by EGR believe the longer timeline is more “realistic”.
The entire process of re-regulation has picked up momentum again in recent days, after four political parties formed a coalition to govern the country.
The coalition agreement included new rules for online gambling, which are expected to smooth the passage of the stalled remote gaming bill.
The new rules include a stipulation that licensed operators must have some form of presence in the Netherlands, apparently allaying previous opponents to the bill.
“With this provision, the path is now clear for the modernisation of Dutch gambling policy,” said Bert Bakker, former MP and senior consultant at lobbying firm Meines Holla & Partners.
“Further progress in the Senate and in drawing up the secondary legislation is now possible.”