Joined: Oct '08
Location: Ukraine
Age: 48 (M)
Posts: 11
Efforts by Holland's Justice Ministry to move forward with UIGEA-style prohibitions against non-state-sanctioned online gambling businesses are running into opposition from the Dutch banking industry, which wants little part of a regulatory framework it views as cumbersome and unworkable.
Dutch Justice Minister Hirsch Ballin's Online Gambling Act, proposed in early 2008, was assailed this week in a formal statement from the Netherlands Bankers Association (NVB), which protested that Ballin's plan to curtail financial transactions involving other online gambling businesses is neither practical nor legal under Dutch law.
Ballin has spearheaded the drive by a portion of Holland's government to be the exclusive vendor of online gambling services to its citizens. Earlier this year, the Dutch Senate conducted a heated debate on the topic, and also considered granting an exclusive license to the state-run Holland Casino, though such exclusivity would remain in conflict with current European Union treaties and its enforceability would be suspect, as pointed out by the Dutch banking officials in their recent statement. Recently, Ballin also quickly refuted the findings of Dutch professor Ben van der Genugten, who released a study last month ranking the skill elements of poker. Ballin, in dismissing the claims of the professor (who was also instrumental in developing the standards for "games of chance" used in Holland), and stated that poker would remain a game of chance under Dutch law despite widespread calls for its reclassification.
The latest tussle erupted from Ballin's continued pressure to control what he views as "illegal online gambling," and also included a call for blocking, by Dutch internet service providers, a list of government-blacklisted sites. As for the banking dispute, NVB spokesman Michel Noordermeer stated that, "The Minister wants us to become an extension of the justice system, but that is not the role of the banks." Others noted that under Dutch law, the Justice Ministry cannot actually launch a legal action, but can only refer matters for possible prosecution. Ballin, though, in responding, stated that the banks have no say in choosing whether to enforce elements of Dutch law. The matter remains under consideration at several levels of Holland's government.
Joined: Aug '08
Location: Australia
Age: 50 (M)
Posts: 1418
I dont have a problem with poker, casino, or bingo, being legal online betting avenues, i live in Australia and the powers that be dont like online betting because they cant get what they call their fair share of "taxes" out of it, but they love poker machines, i do have a problem with the pokies or any other form of gaming that decides whether your going to win or lose before you have made your bet, for me gambling means gambling and gambling means if you win they lose, not with the poker machines though, theres no risk for them. they cant lose.
Joined: Oct '07
Location: Australia
Age: 39 (M)
Posts: 405
its all about taxes the governements do not care at all if you lose money gambling they are just interested in getting their tax cut you are right intentcity4
Joined: Oct '08
Location: Netherlands
Age: 64 (M)
Posts: 2193
Posted by beatvillain: holland is great, i'm moving there if this change comes around
Holand is great that is why I move here from the UK, I came here about 5 years ago looking for work and never looked back.
With Holland's easy going attitude on things like sex & (soft drugs) it will not belong before thay relax there gambling law,s and Holland Casino has had a lot to do with changing the goverment's way of thinking
