THE NETHERLANDS – Although online gambling became legal in the Netherlands in October, fans hoping to place a bet on the Eurovision Song Contest will be disappointed, according to broadcaster NOS.
‘Sports events, like as regulations and referees, have assurances to prevent match manipulation, but other events are totally different,’ a justice ministry spokesperson told the station. ‘In terms of regulation, there are fewer assurances than in sport.’
Fans, on the other hand, deny this, citing allegations of match-fixing in sports such as football and darts.
‘There is no possibility of match-fixing [in Eurovision] since 40 nations participate and voting is impartial,’ NOS fan Stefan Garsthagen said. ‘There is a public jury and an expert jury… There are also attorneys on hand to ensure that everything is in order.’
The justice ministry says it has no intentions to modify the legislation, despite the fact that the regulations may lure Dutch bettors to illicit offshore betting sites.
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