The Netherlands Bankers Association (NVB) this week rejected the idea that they would be able to police transactions used for the purpose of online gambling.  The NVB told Justice Minister Hirsch Ballin that his plan to use Dutch financial institutions to police online poker and Internet gambling sites is neither practical nor legal. 

Minister Ballin had told the Dutch Senate that he would stop the hundreds of millions of Euros leaving the country to foreign internet gaming operators, with the help of the Dutch financial system.

 "The Minister wants us to become an extension of the Justice system, but that is not the role of the banks," quoted NVB spokesperson Michel Noordermeer in a Gaming Intelligence Group article.

The European Commission has warned its nations to comply with rules that allow for online gambling.  As such, the NVB has said it would be more willing to cooperate if the Justice Minister first puts online gambling operators on trial in the Netherlands.

Commenting on this position, Noordermeer stated that "We do not see such a thing happening under the Betting and Gaming Act, especially in light of European legislation. Under these circumstances, the banks will not refuse to accept gaming companies as customers."

A Ministry spokesperson dismissed the NVB's comments saying: "Justice bases itself on Dutch law in fighting illegal internet gaming and there is no room for free choice on the side of the banks. European law has no influence on this."

It is the Netherlands Antilles that has long played a significant role in the online gambling sector since its birth.  Curacao was once home to a quarter of the Internet gambling firms, many of which have since moved to Costa Rica or were merged with other companies.  VIP Sports and Pinnacle Sports remain to of the Netherlands Antilles largest and most profitable sports betting businesses.  Banks based in Curacao were once more active in the industry. 

Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher