Monday, Sept. 4, 2006

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Dutch government, European Commission disagree on Dutch gambling policy

By Lianne Elias

Representatives of the Dutch government and the European Commission are embroiled in a debate as to whether the monopoly enjoyed by Holland Casino, the state-run gambling company in the Netherlands, violates European Union gambling laws.

In a letter addressed to the European Commission, the Dutch government has reasserted its claim that the country's policy of granting Holland Casino a monopoly on the Dutch gambling industry does not violate European law.

The letter was sent in response to criticisms leveled at the Netherlands in an April letter written by European Internal Market Commissioner Charley McCreevy, who believes Dutch Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner is responsible for restricting free traffic of services by allowing Holland Casino to monopolize the industry.

In his defense, Donner says Holland Casino's monopoly is fair because the company also helps combat gambling addiction and money laundering in Holland. The European Commission does not agree with Donner's views.

What the two sides do agree on, however, is that the monopoly does make it possible to impose restrictions on the free traffic of services, and that the company should be prohibited from implementing its plans to expand in Holland and beyond.

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