possible ban online poker in the netherlands in 2008

[gastman]

not here as well....

http://www.nu.nl/news/1192684/52/Pokerspelers_in_opstand_tegen_online_speelverbod.h tml

[dlk9s]

English, please.

[Schwang]

It says that the government wants to ban online poker and create a site ran by the state as the only legal option for online play. Also they want to tax online winnings 40% monthly without any possible deductions, which would make it unbeatable.

The Dutch poker alliance started a petition to make a stand against these new laws. You can sign the petition here (http://www.pokerbond.nl/pokerpetitie/)
Thanks!

[The Bandit Fish]

Thats not a ban, thats regulation. It doesn't make it any less crappy for people in the Netherlands, but the could still legally play.

For those too lazy to use babelfish on the article it talks about the Netherlands banning play on non-state run/owned online poker rooms.

Bah someone beat me to it.

[Grasshopp3r]

There is other precedent with EU countries doing this, though there are also legal challenges to this scheme in the EU.

[elrudo]

Horrible press release.

1) There is new tax legislation in the making for gambling winnings.
The situation now is that you have to pay 29% tax for every single pot/prize of over €454 won in online play.
In the new situation there will be a tax of 40,85% over net winnings per month with regards to online play.

2) Dutch government will issue a license for hosting online gambling to Holland Casino. This will be the only 'legal' way to gamble online.

3) There will be a 'KansspelAutoriteit', a governmental organization that will be responsible for issuing license to organize gambling and control of illegal activities in the sector.


Now, obviously the new tax system creates an opportunity for Dutch players to play high stakes poker, where in the current situations they cannot, because of the tax of 29% over all pots that are bigger than €454.

Further: I am not at all sure that the to be founded 'Kansspelautoriteit' is planning to ban online poker hosted by foreign, unlicensed parties.
As long as the players pay the 40,85% over net winnings, right ?

The Dutch poker alliance, 'Pokerbond' ...

[Skallagrim]

As I recall, the EU has already said that member states must let their citizens play on (at least) sites located in other member states.

The tax thing sucks, but Europeans are used to high taxes are they not? Doesnt mean they like them, but they are used to them.

Skallagrim

[Schwang]

[ QUOTE ]

Now, obviously the new tax system creates an opportunity for Dutch players to play high stakes poker, where in the current situations they cannot, because of the tax of 29% over all pots that are bigger than €454.


[/ QUOTE ]

This €454 law only exists on paper is virtually unenforced for online play. No Dutch high stakes player is paying 29% of every pot. With the new situation online poker would simply be unbeatable, so no reason to play high stakes for Dutch players.

[hollaballa]

isn't Italy trying the same type thing.

It's funny how something must be so good, countries are trying to outlaw it unless it is provided by them. Sounds like Iraq to me.

Could you imagine the US saying, "hey, Mcdonalds is selling way to many hamburgers. We want in on the action. From now on, you have to by hamburgers from government owned hamburger joints. McDonalds is now considered illegal."

Retarded.

This violated the EU as well I believe. I don't think something like this will fly in this day and age.