Betfair in legal battle with Dutch Government

BETFAIR has launched legal action against the Dutch government in a court case which could result in a claim for damages running into millions of Euros.

It's taking the action as a result of a letter from the Dutch Ministry of Justice urging Dutch banks not to process payments from any customers from Holland wishing to bet on any legal gaming website thus blocking access not only to Betfair but other UK licensed operators.

Betfair managing director Mark Davies said: "This is a desperate move by the Dutch government to prevent a company that is fully licensed and regulated in jurisdictions across Europe from being accessed by residents in the Netherlands. Its actions are against the interests of the Dutch consumer and flyin the face of the EU principles of open and fair competition.

"This serves only to protect the Dutch government's own gaming monopoly and keep prices high. It is madness that the Netherlands, as one of the founding members ofthe single market, has resorted to illegal tactics that prevent consumer choice and go against the Treaty.

"The government's objective of shutting out foreign operators while feather-bedding domestic monopolies, one a big US multinational, and protect a cosy cartel cannot be allowed to continue. We will fight this. We will fight anyone who unlawfully prevents us and our customers from doing business."

The betting exchange has also made a formal complaint to the European Commission stating that the government's action unlawfully protects the Dutch gaming monopoly and violates EC laws concerning the free movement of services within the EU.