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The European Court of Justice has rejected the Netherlands’ appeal in a long-running dispute over gambling licenses, bringing fresh attention to a case that refuses to fade away.
Back in 2014, the Dutch government began opening up its gambling market. What should have been a step toward fair competition quickly turned into controversy. The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) claimed that instead of holding open tenders, the state quietly renewed licenses for its own betting and lottery operators. According to the group, this move kept private companies locked out of the market and gave state-backed firms an unfair advantage.
A Case That Just Won’t Go Away
Years later, the disagreement still lingers. The European Commission looked into the matter in 2020 but decided to close the case three years later. That didn’t sit well with the EGBA, which appealed the decision — and the EU General Court agreed that the issue deserved another look.
The Netherlands then tried to stop that review with its own appeal, arguing the case should stay closed. But the EU’s top court has now dismissed that argument entirely, effectively clearing the way for the investigation to continue.
Why It Still Matters Today
Although the dispute dates back more than a decade, it touches on a much bigger question: how far EU countries can go when renewing gambling licenses without breaking competition rules. The EGBA insists that all member states must keep the process open and transparent, ensuring that every potential operator has a fair shot.
This latest ruling arrives as Dutch regulators report growing activity in the unlicensed gambling market — something many see as a sign that the country’s regulatory balance still isn’t quite right.
The European Commission is now expected to reopen its formal investigation into whether those 2014 license renewals amounted to unlawful state aid. Whatever the outcome, it’s a reminder that even old cases can resurface — especially when the rules of fair play are at stake.
Source: gamblinginsider.com
