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Dutch Minister Says Poker will Remain a Game of Luck in Netherlands

by PokerPages.com
Tue, Oct 28th, 2008 @ 12:00am

Despite widespread publicity backing the challenge to the Dutch Supreme Court's 1998 classification of poker as a game of chance sparked by an expert in probability and mathematical statistics, Dutch Minister of Justice Hirsch Ballin has stated that even if poker were to be officially recognized as a game of skill, that poker would never be licensed and regulated in the Netherlands.

Because of his expert witness status and Dutch courts using the formula he co-developed showing that poker skills are closer to those of the skill games of chess and bridge, Professor Van der Genugten's challenge to change poker's classification to a game of skill was quickly picked up by Dutch media. This lead to calls by the Liberal Party on Justice Minister Hirsch Ballin to issue a statement regarding the possibility of reviewing the Supreme Court's classification.

The Justice Minister defended the Dutch state's current monopoly on gaming activity through the state-owned Casino Holland as the only way to ensure their citizens would be adequately protected, echoing a defense raised by Sweden when the reason for their monopoly was challenged by the EU.

Ballin cited a study conducted in 2007 by the Dutch Gaming Control Board and the University of Twenty, which showed that poker had a high risk of addiction. Ballin said the ministry would continue to fight illegal poker operators.

Ballin added that as a result he sees no reason to request the Supreme Court to revise the status of poker. He also noted that poker is currently considered a game of chance in 33 European countries.

Ballin then warned that not only will poker remain a game of chance, but restrictions on online poker will become more severe, along the lines of UIGEA in the USA. Mr. Ballin said that discussions between financial institutions and the Ministry of Justice to block transactions between Dutch residents and illegal gaming providers was making steady progress.

Click here for information on the formula Professor Van der Genugten co-developed.

Read Related Article:

  • Dutch Professor Challenges Poker's Chance Classification with Formula
  • Sweden Asks ECJ Questions Impacting European Gaming Monopoly Policy
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