Following many years of delay, The Netherlands is now reportedly expected to begin the process of licensing online casino operators from July of next year in hopes of being able to launch a regulated domestic iGaming market some seven months later.

Legislative breakthrough:

According to a Wednesday report, this revelation came from the Chairman for the nation’s Kansspelautoriteit gaming regulator, Rene Jansen, after February saw legislators finally ratify the enabling Remote Gambling Act amid much debate.

Waiting game:

Jansen reportedly detailed that his office hopes to begin accepting license applications from July 1 of 2020 but that it is currently waiting on the Ministry of Security and Justice to formulate the final technical regulations that are due to underpin the Remote Gambling Act. As such, he also explained that his agency cannot begin to draft specific licensing conditions for online casinos until this process has been completed but that he anticipates The Netherlands will officially launch a regulated iGaming market from January 1 of 2021.

Early interest:

iGamingBusiness.com reported that operators hoping to obtain an iGaming operating license for The Netherlands are being invited to register their interest via the Kansspelautoriteit’s website. Jansen declared that such early expressions will help the regulator to ‘know how many license applications we can expect in the future’ and allocate resources to better meet demand.

Jansen said…

“This information will allow us to organize the licensing process properly. A smooth process is not only in our own interest but also in the interests of the companies that are going to apply for a license.”

Employment opportunities:

Finally, Jansen proclaimed that the upcoming licensing process is likely to put his office under increased pressure but that it is prepared to hire additional staff in order to better meet the challenge.

Jansen added…

“We are doing everything in our power to get it done. If we cannot manage with our permanent staff, we will hire external staff.”