Ministry of Justice Warns Banks, Credit Card Companies

The Dutch Ministry of Justice has written to all banks and credit card companies operating (or with offices) in the Netherlands to say that they must stop ‘facilitating’ online gambling. Apparently under Dutch law it is illegal to promote betting and gaming services offered by non-domestic licensees

This letter interprets payment processing to be aiding and abetting this promotion. The Banks realise that this is intimidation from the Ministry of Justice and their defence is likely to refer to freedom of capital rights under article 56 of the European Treaty.

There has also been debate in the Dutch Parliament this week after a TV investigation (similar to Panorama) on Sunday, about the practices of the Dutch monopoly its impact on addiction, money laundering and discriminatory practices. Parliamentarians are now calling for an investigation into Holland Casino. Holland Casino has taken out advertising space in the media during the week to try and rebut some of these claims.

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