July 1 saw the imposition of tough new laws on taxation of gambling machines in the Netherlands, and the industry's trade association, the VAN, is proposing to challenge the new regulations in the European Court.

The Dutch Upper House ratified the tax proposals at the end of June.

The new tax on AWP machine income stands at 29 per cent and the Dutch industry has been at a standstill for most of this year as a result of the threat - which has now become a reality.