SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Netherlands’ Council of Ministers has given the go-ahead for national lottery operators Staatsloterij and Sichting Nationale Sporttotlisator (SNS) to merge.
The planned merger comes as both operators implemented cost saving strategies in 2015, due to continued declines in ticket sales.
Dutch Secretary of State for Finance Eric Wiebes with the support of his office personally supported the move, stating that it would benefit national consumers with a better product, and in-turn help further funding of national charities and sporting organisations.
“The government has confidence in this merger. There resulting from such an organization a safe and reliable gaming offerings, both offline and online, can continue to offer. The merged organization will form a new state participation. The revenues generated by this participation will benefit the state, sports and charities” Wiebes commented
At present Staatsloterij operates products, De Nederlands Loterij (Dutch State Lotto) and the Nederlands Sports TOTO. Competitor SNS operates single lottery product DE LOTTO.
The merger of Staatsloterij and SNS will likely lead to the creation of a unified Netherlands Lottery operator and product.
