The Netherlands Bankers Association (NVB) released a formal statement this week which protested a plan that would stop financial transactions that involve other online gambling businesses. The NVB claims the plan is not legal or practical under Dutch law.

The statement was released in light of Dutch Justice Minister Hirsch Ballin trying to push forward his Online Gambling Act which is similar to the UIGEA in the United States. The Online Gambling Act would prohibit non state sanctioned online gambling businesses from financial transactions.

Ballin would like Holland’s government to be the exclusive provider of online gambling services to their citizens and has tried very hard to make this happen. The Dutch Senate has considered the views of Ballin and even thought about granting an exclusive license to the Holland Casino, which is state run.

Becoming an exclusive provider would be in conflict with the European Union Treaties and officials at the NVB have pointed this out. A Dutch professor also released findings that poker has skill elements and it was the same professor who helped develop the standards for “games of chance” in Holland. However, Ballin dismisses the claims of the professor on the poker aspect. And despite many wanting poker to be reclassified, Ballin stated poker would remain a game of chance.

A spokesman for NVB, Michel Noordermeer stated: "The Minister wants us to become an extension of the justice system, but that is not the role of the banks."


- 2008-11-24