Thread by @GamingInHolland

And we're off! Dutch Senate debates Remote Gaming Bill + Casino Reform Bill

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First speaker: René Derksen (PVV). Please note: the votes of the PVV are potentially necessary for both bills to pass.

Derksen (PVV) acknowledges need for reform. Doesn't sound like he needs a lot of convincing to vote for both bills right now.

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PVV "mostly positive" about Remote Gaming Bill, but "more critical" about Casino Reform Bill.

Derksen appears to prefer public monopoly for state-owned Holland Casino.

Casino Reform Bill (i.e. privatization of Holland Casino) in trouble?

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Next speaker: Andriessen (D66).

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Andriessen appears sceptical of both bills, but it would be a real shocker if D66 votes against either bill.

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Andriessen wants current monopolists (Holland Casino + De Toto) to able to build up customer databases of online players before the remote market opens.

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Andriessen, however, expresses support for regulation and licensing of current illegal offerings.

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In short: D66 broadly supportive of - at least - Remote Gaming Bill.

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D66 appears to be angling for future concessions in secondary legislation.

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Next up: Bikker (CU).

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CU is not in favor. No surprises there.

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Next: Postema (PvdA).

PvdA voted in favor of Remote Gaming Bill in 2016, but now they seem to want online monopolies by Holland Casino and Nederlandse Loterij/De Toto: pvda.nl/nieuws/nieuwe-…

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PvdA supports "general thrust" of Remote Gaming Bill, but very concerned about opening of online market to all comers.

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PvdA wants blackout period of 2-3 years for each and every operator who has been active in the Dutch market in the past.

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Wow: PvdA "mostly positive" - albeit with significantly reservations - about Remote Gaming Bill.

Is their vote actually gettable or are they looking for cover on account of having voted for the bill in the Lower House?

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But PvdA opposes Casino Reform Bill.

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Postema: PvdA will at this time NOT vote for Casino Reform Bill.

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But PvdA does want to address the issue of unregulated online gaming.

Will they actually vote in favor of the Remote Gaming Bill? Right now, it seems so...

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Next up: Van Dijk (SGP), Gerkens (SP), and Ten Hoeve (OSF).

First two will be definitely opposed, OSF not very relevant with only one vote.

Quite safe to take a 30-minute break right now.

In the mean time, it is becoming increasingly clear (with PVV and PvdA seemingly both opposed) that the Casino Reform Bill - the privatization of Holland Casino - is in real danger.

If the bill does pass, it will be by a very narrow margin.

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Next up: Van Bijsterveld (CDA).

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CDA "not yet persuaded" by Remote Gaming Bill and Casino Reform Bill.

Oh, oh.

However, if VVD+D66+PVV+PvdA do vote in favor, we're already at 40 votes and the Remote Gaming Bill passes nonetheless.

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Right now, it sounds like CDA is persuadable, though.

Lots of objections that can potentially be addressed by future concessions in the secondary legislation.

Are we witnessing a piece of political theater?

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Bijsterveld now starts talking about the Casino Reform Bill.

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CDA also objects - at least for now - against the privatization of Holland Casino.

If CDA does end up voting against the Casino Reform Bill, the bill is officially dead.

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Next: Knip (VVD).

VVD WILL vote in favor of both bills.

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Next up: Strik (GroenLinks).

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"GroenLinks supports aims of Remote Gaming Bill."

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My guess: GroenLinks will vote for the Remote Gaming Bill in order to help make the case for legal weed.

They know their constituency.

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But it is also quite clear they have no inherent love for the sector.

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GroenLinks has "fundamental objections" against Casino Reform Bill and privatization of Holland Casino.

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The Casino Reform Bill is hanging by a thread.

Right now, I don't think the votes are there.

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To summarize: while I think that GroenLinks will support the Remote Gaming Bill, I'm not too confident about this prediction.

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Next: Koffeman (PvdD).

The PvdD opposes the Remote Gaming Bill.

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The PvdD also opposes the Casino Reform Bill.

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That's it for now. We'll continue at 19:45 CET, when Minister for Legal Protection Sander Dekker will respond to the questions and objections raised during the debate.

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Based on what we've seen so far, my guess is that the Remote Gaming Bill will pass:

(Almost) certainly in favor: 32 votes (38 needed)

VVD: 13
D66: 10
PVV: 9

Probably in favor: 24

CDA: 12
PvdA: 8
GroenLinks: 4

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My guess is that CDA will end up abandoning it's opposition. But even if they don't, the rather surprising support of PvdA should pull the bill over the line.

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The Casino Reform Bill, however, appears to be in big, big trouble.

Right now, I don't see the votes.

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In any case, stay tuned for tonight's updates.

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