Netherlands delays regulated iGaming market launch

In the Netherlands and the government has reportedly postponed the planned launch of its regulated iGaming market by a further two months owing to preparation concerns related to coronavirus.

According to a report from the news domain at iGamingBusiness.com, the small nation’s legalizing Remote Gambling Act was due to come into force from the first day of next year but has now had its inauguration date pushed back to March 1 so as to give those interested in obtaining a domestic online gambling license more time to prepare in the wake of a coronavirus-induced lockdown.

Autumn arrival:

The news domain reported that the delay was announced following consultation with a variety of stakeholders including the country’s Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) regulator and means that locally-licensed online casino and sportsbetting sites will not be permitted to welcome Dutch players before the morning of September 1.

Epidemic expectations:

iGamingBusiness.com reported that the Remote Gambling Act was ratified in February of 2019 and had originally envisioned allowing licensed online gambling across the Netherlands from the first day of 2021. However, this date was later pushed back to July 1 before the government’s Legal Protection Minister Sander Dekker later warned of further delays linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

Reportedly read a June statement from Dekker…

“I do not rule out the possibility of a slight delay. I see some room for maneuver there.”

Additional time:

Dekker reportedly declared that this latest rescheduling will give potential iGaming operators ‘more space’ following the arrival of coronavirus ‘to prepare for the new law coming into effect.’ The minister purportedly furthermore explained that the Remote Gambling Bill is currently awaiting approval by the European Commission and is to require licensed firms to abide by a raft of new policies covering such areas as records keeping, technical standards and reporting requirements.