THE HAGUE - The VVD, the ruling party in the Netherlands, has expressed concern over the ties between Russian gambling companies and the gambling sector in Curaçao. The reason for this concern is Ukraine's decision to impose sanctions on gambling companies with Russian ties operating under a Curaçao license.
In response, Members of Parliament Kamminga and Brekelmans from the VVD have submitted a series of written questions to various Dutch government officials, including State Secretary Van Huffelen and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs Hoekstra and for Legal Protection Weerwind. The questions address topics such as Dutch involvement in the Curaçao gambling sector, the supervision of gambling companies in Curaçao, and the possibility of imposing sanctions on companies with Russian ties based in Curaçao.
The MPs have also raised concerns about the tax revenue generated by gambling companies in Curaçao, as well as the relationship between trust offices in Curaçao and gambling companies on Ukraine's sanctions list.
The VVD's interest in this matter follows the decision of Ukraine's president, Zelensky, to put gambling companies with Russian ties operating under Curaçao license on the sanctions list. This move has prompted the VVD to seek more information about the situation in the Curaçao gambling sector.
It remains to be seen what action the Dutch government will take in response to the VVD's concerns. However, the MPs have requested that the supervision of the Curaçao gambling sector be put on the agenda of the next Judicial Four-Party Consultation (JVO), and they have asked to be informed of the results.