While the Dutch government is trying desperately to protect its gambling monopoly and prevent foreign online gambling sites from serving its citizens, a recent report shows that more citizens from Holland than ever are wagering online.
The report, issued by Motivaction, shows that the amount of money spent by Dutch online gamblers has literally doubled since 2005, and they now spend an average of 82 Euros a month at their favorite sites.
It was only last week that the Dutch Minister of Justice, Ernst Hirsch Ballin, stated that the government would be doing anything in its power to clamp down on internet sites operating in the country’s borders. Even the state monopoly gambling company was refused permission to go online after a parliamentary decision vetoed a previously approved request. Nevertheless, the popularity of this pastime means that the government may need to rethink its policy.