News

McCreevy threatens Dutch over 'Betfair bias'

11 May 2009


As reported by Telegraph.co.uk: "Charlie McCreevy, the internal markets commissioner for Europe, has criticised the Netherlands for protectionism over its treatment of foreign internet gaming companies. Mr McCreevy threatened to pursue the government as far as the European Court of Justice following attempts to block Dutch banks from processing the payment of bets made over the internet.

"We believe the Dutch are in direct contravention of the rules of the internal markets and will be investigating the matter," Mr McCreevy said. "The state has adopted a very protectionist approach to all forms of gambling." "Betfair, the British gaming company, last week filed a lawsuit against the Dutch Ministry of Justice alleging that its move to block payments constituted "a desperate move" to protect the position of De Lotto, the state monopoly..."