Netherlands Lawyers Want Action Over Malta Law

Lawyers that represent clients that are entwined in legal action against gambling companies have lobbied the Dutch Minister of Legal Protection to have the country's government formally appeal Maltese Bill 55, which provides legal protection for operators that hold an MGA licence.

The appeal came in the form of a letter from five lawyers, who're making the argument that the bill "undermines European law", and certainly not that the bill would negatively impact their clients (sarcasm). The letter was signed by Benzi Loonstein, Herman Loonstein, Johan Oosterhagen, Martijn Bonefaas, and Anton Heilig.

The lawyers claim that gambling operators that offer Dutch players services without a KSA (Dutch) licence should be required to compensate players for losses. Additionally, they claim that the offshore companies offering services are violating Article 1 of the Dutch Betting and Gaming Act and interferes with the legislature and judiciary system of the Netherlands.

The letter read in part: "After all, attempts are being made to make it impossible for Maltese judges to recognise and enforce judgments of Dutch, German and Austrian judges. A law like Bill 55 has no precedent in the EU. This law would therefore set a dangerous precedent.

"We call on the Dutch government to stand up for the interests of this group of Dutch people and to ensure, via the European Commission, that Malta does not continue with the contempt of the rule of law enshrined in the EU treaties."

Malta's Bill 55 would shield gambling operators from paying judgments from other countries where they do not hold a licence if they hold an MGA certification. This has proven to be controversial among other EU member nations, with Germany also voicing concern. The European Commission has said that it is looking into the bill to see if it is compliant with EU law.