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The Dutch are upping their efforts against online casinos.  Online gambling is illegal in the Netherlands and Dutch authorities are requesting banks cease processing transactions to or from online casinos and other gambling sites – that is all websites except the state-owned gambling monopoly De Lotto.

“It is illegal to offer gambling services in the Netherlands without a permit,” said a Justice Ministry spokeswoman.  “These companies know they break the law.” 

The spokeswomen went so far as to name two online casino companies that the state is actively targeting:  Swedish Unibet and the Dutch online casino Oranje Casino.  But, these companies are just two on a long list of online casinos being targeted by the ministry.

Holland Casino was denied, just last month, by the Dutch upper house the opportunity to open an online casino on a trial basis.

By continuing such protectionist actions, the Netherlands are sure to receive more heat from the European Union.  This past February, the EU issued a warning to Greece and the Netherlands to open up the gambling market to international online casinos or face court action.

Europe has been divided by online casinos and internet gambling.  Both France and Germany have made efforts to protect their gambling markets.  To put it more accurately, these countries, along with others, have attempted to protect their gambling monopolies from foreign competition.

Such actions are directly against the purpose of the European Union.

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