The government of the Netherlands has confirmed that the nation’s lottery will remain in state hands, describing plans for privatisation as “currently not feasible and proportionate.”
In addition, it declared that privatisation required large regulatory changes and risked “insufficient protection” for Dutch citizens against gambling damage.
“The government will keep the Dutch Lottery as a state participation for the time being,” said Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen, state secretary for fiscality, tax and customs. “Because the government remains involved in the Dutch Lottery, citizens will have access to a party that is set up differently than commercial gambling providers.
“In doing so, the government also wants to take responsibility in a market that clearly also has negative aspects and ensure stability in the long term.”
