Advocate-General Yves Bot did not let down the monopolists in his final opinions on the Dutch preliminary ruling procedures. As expected, the final opinions on 17 December 2009 followed the previous example of his final opinions in the proceedings C-42/7 (Liga Portuguesa) on 14 October 2008. Again they were clearly to the detriment of transnationally active gambling providers, in this case UK-based companies Betfair (case C-203/08) and Ladbrokes (case C-258/08).

Holland has cleared a proposed taxation bill that would allow the Dutch Government to tax games of chance such as blackjack and online craps. The government would also be able to tax those companies for whom the Dutch have prosecuted or attempted to prosecute. There is also a provision that would allow Holland to tax foreign customers.

London/Munich, January 29, 2008: Despite many similarities, the Belgian and Dutch gambling markets differ widely in several aspects. Whereas in the Dutch market a monopolistic/oligopolistic market structure still prevails, the Belgian market has for some time already been on the way – step by step – to increasing liberalisation. The consulting firm MECN’s new study “The Belgian and Dutch Gambling Markets” analyses both markets in detail.