Gambling firms want EU laws changed

European Union (EU) officials have been urged to reform gambling legislation after one of its courts upheld a decision to bar Ladbrokes and Betfair from operating in Holland's online betting industry.

The EU Court of Justice ruled that the two companies could be blocked from trading with gamblers in Holland if the Dutch authorities' main objection was on the grounds it is trying to "combat fraud and crime".

Betfair and Ladbrokes claim Holland is objecting to protect the state-licensed monopoly of lottery operator De Lotto, and they rejected accusations that wider access in the online market would increase problem gambling.

Ladbrokes said Holland's stance was "hard to reconcile with its expansive gambling policy, which is characterised by the introduction and active advertising, marketing and promotion of new gaming products".

Betfair said there was no evidence that online betting was more addictive than any other form of gambling.