Netherlands: officially awarded the first gambling licenses

The online gambling is progressing. The Netherlands recently announced that playing on the Internet should be legalized there. Similar to USA, this process was difficult but successful in the end. Now the time has come and the first licenses have already been awarded in our neighboring country. These apply since October 1st. At the same time, there were initial rejections that prohibited the fact that an offer can be created on the market.

The first licenses were awarded

With Bet365 there is already a well -known bookmaker who is among the first providers who have received a license in the Netherlands. Another license went to Holland Casino. The other providers were not yet known. Therefore, it can only be speculated about the other licenses. However, there was a list of providers who have not received a license. The responsible persons intervened hard. Surprisingly, bookmakers who previously operated in the Netherlands have not received a license. This was justified by the fact that the providers have not acted legally in the past and thus violated applicable laws. These providers include the market sizes Entain and poker stars. Entain was very popular in the Netherlands and had average sales of six million euros.

Possibility after blocking time for license

The decision should have been a shock for the rejected providers. After all, the Dutch market is popular and promises a large customer base. However, the decision is not final, because the rejected online providers can apply again after a lock of six months. Here you have to go through the full application process. It can certainly be expected that the providers must expect strict requirements if possible licenses, since they have not yet acted legally. Receiving a license faces high hurdles. All providers must enter the Dutch Online Gambling Association (NOGA). In addition to security, the association is particularly responsible for the association and consumer protection.

Other providers can hope

In contrast, ggpokers and party pokers can hope for a licensing. So far, both providers have not had an offer in the Netherlands, which could speak for a licensing. If both actually receive a license, it would be conceivable that the Dutch poker fans switch to one of these two providers. It remains to be seen whether the cards on the market will be mixed with a later licensing of PokerStars. The Netherlands would like to distribute a total of 35 licenses. 25 are currently still open, which is why numerous providers can still hope that they will receive a license. From the provider’s point of view, however, it would make sense to apply early, since it cannot be assumed that the number of 35 licenses will be enlarged.

Growing market

As is well known, forbidden fruits taste best. This also applied for a long time for the Dutch market for online gambling. Although this was officially prohibited, the market boomed. In 2019 alone, over 400 million $ were taken. The Dutch use the numerous advantages of Online-Casinos. As is well known, these are available around the clock and have no blocking times. You can also play comfortably from home. The providers rely on ever newer technologies, which speaks permanently for a large customer base. Another advantage shows that users benefit from different doctoral offers.