Mobile gambling applications make it easy for gamblers to be able to access their favorite casinos, sportsbooks, poker rooms and bingo sites online. iOS users will download such applications from the Apple Store in order to be able to access such sites. In the Netherlands, Dutch authorities have now decided that companies working their way around gambling laws should no longer have the opportunity to offer gambling apps.

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) is the gambling regulator of the region who back in May asked Apple to deny citizens of Holland access to such apps. Apple has now removed 55 gambling applications from the App Store leaving gamblers without access to such sites as Bwin and Unibet via mobile device.

For many years now, Holland has been working towards changing their gambling laws, which are decades old. The country created the Remote Gambling Act, which will allow the Dutch market to accept online gambling companies from foreign countries as well as see the privatization of the Holland Casino, a state-monopolized venue. Currently, Holland Casino is the only company that is allowed to operate a casino in the country.

The Remote Gambling Act was first created in 2013 and was debated for three years before any headway was made. Back in July, the bill was able to make it through the Lower House and is now under consideration in the Upper House. It is believed the bill will pass but it may be another two years before it does.

For now, the KSA is working to target online gambling companies that market to Dutch citizens. This includes sites that offer the Dutch language, with “nl” in the web address.

The regulator had stated on their website that the blockage of sports betting applications in May meant that illegal operators would not be able to benefit from sports betting during the European Football Championship.