Holland Casino due to go Internet?

The monopolistic nature of European Community nations trying to bar free trade in the form of gambling services from other EC nations was highlighted this week in a surprising development in the Netherlands.

Dutch state-owned Holland Casino is to be given a temporary license to test games of chance via the Internet. The evaluation period will probably last for two years.

The Dutch authorities, citing the need to protect their citizens have been among those who have launched legal activities against Internet betting companies from other EC states trying to do business with their gambling population.