Thread by @GamingInHolland

TODAY, starting at 13:35 CET, the Dutch Senate will vote on the Remote Gaming Bill. There will be no debate, just an up or down vote on the bill itself and 6 accompanying motions.

It should all be over – one way or another – in a couple of minutes.

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Of course, the million-dollar question is: will the bill actually pass?

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Normally, the answer would be “yes, absolutely.” The fact that the bill wasn’t withdrawn by the govt (like the Casino Reform Bill) very, very strongly indicates that there was a majority in the Senate for the Remote Gaming Bill as late as last week.

Not likely that anything has changed since then.

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On the other hand, when it comes to online gambling legislation in the Netherlands, completely unexpected things have happened before.

Still, I would be shocked if the bill doesn’t pass.

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If the bill DOES pass, the very earliest the online market can be expected to open is in Q4 2020, though Q1 2021 appears likelier.

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If the bill DOESN’T pass, well…

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What about the accompanying motions? Though formally speaking non-binding, governments generally feel bound by them. So they can be important. There are six:

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1) Motie Bikker

Requests the govt to ensure that minors will not start gambling and that minors will be sufficiently protected from gambling-related harm.

The motion is not very specific and is expected to pass.

2) Motie Postema (1)

Request two-year blackout period for illegal operators.

Expected to pass.

3) Motie Postema (2)

Mainly requests the govt to consider bringing back administrative (as opposed to criminal) procedures for blocking illegal online gambling content when the Remote Gaming Bill is evaluated after three years.

Expected to pass.

4) Motie Van Dijk

Requests the govt to map out the consequences of a complete ban on online gambling advertising and to inform Parliament about its findings.

Toss up.

5) Motie Gerkens

Request five-year blackout period for illegal operators.

Not expected to pass.

6) Motie Strik

Requests complete ban on online gambling advertising.

Not expected to pass.

But, as they say: It's hard to make predictions, especially about the future. So be sure to check out our Twitter feed when the voting actually starts.

Stay tuned!

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