The Dutch government has fired the first steps in the war against online gambling, in a move frighteningly similar to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in the United States. Banks and credit companies in the country were issued with a list of 30 – 50 online gaming companies and were told to block any transactions between them and Dutch citizens. Failure to do so could lead to the banks being criminally charged.

"It is illegal to offer gambling services in the Netherlands without a permit. These companies know they break the law," said a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice.

The European Commission recently issued a final warning to the Netherlands to drop its monopoly on the gambling market and to move away from its protectionist policy. The country was told that it had until April to meet the final deadline or else face legal action. It remains to be seen what steps the Dutch government will take next.