Shortly after announcing plans to expand its online gaming sector, the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) has announced its future cooperation with the Netherlands’ gaming authority, Kansspelautoriteit, through an online gambling letter of intent, otherwise known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Marja Appelman, the chief executive officer of Kansspelautoriteit, claimed that the agreement will be beneficial to both operators and consumers in both countries.
“This letter of intent gives a clear signal that the two jurisdictions recognise the mutual principles in the regulation of remote gambling and will help both jurisdictions to ensure outmost consumer protection and a just, responsible and safe provision of gambling services applied through a strong and inclusive systems and monitoring,” added Joseph Cuschieri, CEO of Malta’s LGA.
The Dutch government has been working for several years to create and foster the Netherlands’ online gaming sector. Jan Suyver, a chairman for Kansspelautoriteit, announced a strategy to improve the sector back in November 2013. The strategy hinged on building relationships with other European countries, and this letter appears to be an extension of that.
The Netherlands will adopt its new gaming and betting act sometime in early 2015. It’s the first of its kind to regulate Dutch online gaming and is geared to lay down the appropriate framework for it.
Online gambling is Malta’s second largest economic sector, right behind its popular tourism sector, making it a wise partner for the Netherlands’ growing industry.
Suvyer commented on the Netherlands’ committment to partnering with other countries as its legislation grows.
“The Gambling Authority will work closely with colleagues in other countries,” said Suvyer, “however, we can only commence the real cooperation once the Dutch online law comes into force.”
Such a decision reflects a recent, growing movement to better regulate and expand online gaming across Europe. The United Kingdom, Croatia, and several other countries have seen such changes in recent months.
