Dutch ban online gambling

[ezgoer89]

I wonder if the Dutch supreme court finds their legalization of smoking marijuana in line with European case law???  What the hell is it with the perceived evil of gambling?


Dutch Supreme Court upholds online gambling ban
 
The Dutch Supreme Court confirmed a ruling on Friday that the online bookmaker Ladbrokes must stop taking bets from Dutch citizens.
 
According to the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the decision will most likely be interpreted as a ban against gambling websites in the Dutch market.

The ruling ended a two-year legal battle between Ladbrokes and the Dutch lotto. The Dutch Supreme Court found that the Netherlands' restrictive gambling policies are in conformity with European case law.

[beyerguy]

Unbelievable!  I live in Belgium, and visit Holland quite often.  In Amsterdam, you can do pretty much anything you dam well please, except apparently place a bet online.

[mandown]

This isn\'t about the evil of gambling, it\'s about the Dutch government not wanting to have private enterprise threaten its state-run gambling monopoly.

Ladbrokes have a long history of trying to break into various European markets but being thwarted by domestic goevernments with a monopoly to protect. What\'s not clear is whether European Union competition law supports these governments or not.

On the face of it the laws are all designed to give consumers choice and denying competition to a monopoly supplier clearly doesn\'t do this.

It\'s not dissimilar to Betfair wanting to bet on US or Australian racing. Both would be good for consumers but are against the interests of those who currently have a monopoly.

George

[TGJB]

I can\'t tell you how proud I am to have a board where guys post from Moscow, Belgium, and Swizerland (and what happened to Kingfisher, by the way?), and a transplanted Limey posts from here.

Want to hear more from Even for life, too. The discourse level on this site is getting higher all the time.

[NoCarolinaTony]

What\'s worse in my opionon is that their are still states in this ocuntry that do not permit internet or any type of gambling/pari mutuel wagering(except for indian reservation) States such as North & South Carolina, and Georgia (States closest to where I live, Ive got to drive 300 Miles to the nearest legal place in VA or WV of KY. This is the United States.  I\'ve found a loop hole but I won\'t say online because it will close if mentioned publicly. I can sympathize with \"Ya\'all\" Ex NY-er in NC.

[OPM]

How about the jackasses at Tampa.  The don\'t accept bets from rebaters because they want to protect their customers.  However,they will give 5-10% rebates if you place you bet through Youbet.  The poor jacks who bet at Tampa Bay downs itself never get this rebate and they have to pay to get into the track.  Oh, if you live in California, you cannot get this rebate because the CHRB want to protect your best interest!!!!  This game is going to the dogs, more power to off shore companies and everyone who bet with them.  The horsemen, states are all greedy and you have to look out for yourself.  It\'s estimated that 25 million Americans bet online.  I hope the powers that be get the message and start to regulate this and get some of this income.