Betfair will challenge Dutch Government’s granting of exclusive license to Dutch lottery operators
Friday 29th October 2004
Betfair has said it will challenge the Dutch Government’s granting of an exclusive license to Dutch lottery operators, De Lotto, claiming that it contravenes EU laws on government gambling monopolies. According to the Racing Post, legal proceeding are expected to be filed this week, after the Dutch government rejected Betfair’s application for a license to operate in the country, having kept the betting exchange waiting for over a year for a decision.
“Betfair believes that EU law requires the Dutch government to properly consider Betfair’s request for a licence,” Betfair’s general counsel, Justin Hubble told the press. “Simply renewing De Lotto’s exclusive licence after over a year of delay tactics and without due consideration is not only improper legally but also of detriment to the Dutch public who are a captive market for a highly uncompetitive monopoly offering. Censorship of this nature designed to protect monopolists from competition should be challenged.”
Betfair is also expected to attack moves by De Lotto to have it permanently excluded from accepting sports bets from the Netherlands. “We are hopeful that our challenge will result in the Dutch government looking again at the way it grants sports betting licences,” Hubble added.
