With the most recent move by the Dutch government, there might be a provoked reaction on the part of the European Commission. The Dutch government is attempting to get the banks involved in supporting its attempt to exclude the companies of other EU nations from participating in the gambling market of the Netherlands.

As reported by the news service Reuters and widely distributed, during the weekend, it was made known by a member of the Justice Ministry that Dutch authorities are planning to come down on online casinos considered by them as being illegal, and are telling the banks to stop providing financial services and financial support for them.

According to the Justice Ministry spokesperson, it is now being considered as illegal to offer gambling services in the Netherlands without a special government permit. Pointing to the Swedish online gambling firm Unibet and the independent Dutch firm Oranje Casino as specific targets, the spokesperson said that these companies are fully aware that they are breaking the law.  These are the only two companies that were identified and no further details were offered, but it seems that in addition, the Justice Ministry has prepared a list of 30-50 Internet gaming firms which it has indicated as operating illegally and has requested the banks in Holland to stop servicing these companies.

The ministry spokesperson pointed out that it is specifically a Dutch issues so no request has been made to those banks operating outside of the Netherlands to also cooperate. She said that dossiers are being delivered to the public prosecutor who will prepare cases to be brought to court.
This action intensifies the already controversial Dutch government policy of limiting its gambling permits to the Dutch state lottery De Lotto.  In recent times this policy has even been extended to the local land based Holland Casino operations, causing plans to inaugurate a revamped online operation to be put on hold following the Dutch Parliament's negative vote on the issue.
This move to involve the financial industry to bar companies from other EU nations from its gambling market, can put the Netherlands in the position of being in further confrontation with the European Commission. The European Commission has already warned the Dutch government that it is conflicting with current EU requirements requiring the free passage of goods and services. Earlier this year they received a final warning regarding this and the Dutch may now find themselves before the European Court of Justice.

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