An article that recently appeared in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf has set tongues wagging about the imminent regulation of online gambling in the Netherlands.

Citing unnamed sources in the Hague, seat of the Dutch parliament, the article said that the new center-right/far-right coalition government was prepared to change the policy of previous governments’ rejection of internet gaming.

The reason for the change of heart might lie with the estimated €100 million-€270 million the treasury could collect from a regulated industry. No justifications were given for the size of the amounts named.

The appearance of the article drew immediate reactions from anti-gambling sources.

“This has not been thought through well,” Jeroen Fisser, director of private clinic U-Center told the Telegraaf. “You are creating a new group of 40,000 potential gambling addicts in the Netherlands. This instead will lead to a negative financial result and a lot of misery.”

Rene Grim, director of RoderSana Resort, agreed with Fisser, although Grim seemed to lack specific knowledge of the current industry situation.

“Of course the gamblers already know how to find the American sites, but making this readily available to all will make gambling more attractive to youth,” said Grim.

Since the article appeared, there has been no further news and no official word on the subject. On the contrary, a search for the original article appears to indicate the Telegraaf has removed the piece from its archives.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.