Sir, – Reading the financial reporting of the gambling company, Flutter Entertainment (Business, November 2nd), it's interesting to note that they will see an impact to profits due to a temporary exit from the Netherlands causing it substantial losses in the coming years.
A quick internet search to see what’s the problem shows that the regulator in the Netherlands, in launching a new regulatory licensing system, is concerned that “the consumer must be assured of fair play. And the provider must pay sufficient attention to the prevention of gambling addiction”.
Out of potentially 29 gambling organisations, only 10 were successful in the new regulatory environment while the “majority of applicants had failed to meet its ‘high-bar’ in securing licenses”. The regulator went on to warn incumbents of their duties in protecting Dutch consumers from gambling harms and promoting “fair and moderated play’”.
Considering the recent call by some former executives in this gambling organisation to have regulations tightened to prevent gambling addiction, is it not time for the Government to take a leaf out of the Netherlands’ book and carry out a similar review. – Yours, etc,
JOHN O’CONNELL,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.