Dutch Introduce UIGEA-Style Crackdown on Online Poker

Reuters news agency reported on Saturday that the Dutch Ministry of Justice has asked banks to stop providing financial transactions to online gaming sites in a move reminiscent of the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act in the U.S..

According to the report a list of up to 50 online sites was circulated to Dutch banks along with a request to stop services to these companies. A spokesperson for the ministry confirmed to Reuters that Unibet and Oranje Casino were among those being targeted. She added, “It is illegal to offer gambling services in the Netherlands without a permit. These companies know they break the law”.

The Ministry said it would compile dossiers on the companies on the list and pass these to the public prosecutor to consider legal proceedings.

The Dutch parliament recently voted down a bill which would have allowed state-run Holland Casino open a legal online gaming site. The Netherlands is currently under intense scrutiny from the European Union, along with a number of other countries, for its protectionist stance on gambling. This latest move is likely to bring it to further attention in Brussels.
 

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