The Dutch Ministry of Finance has denied the Staatsloterij
permission to launch “Sevens”, a seven million
euro SMS lottery project, saying that mobile betting
is not part of cabinet policy.
Staatsloterij was heavily criticized for spending 20
million euro more than it did in 2001 without increasing
turnover. Staatsloterij attributes its rising costs
to the launch of a new weekly betting product called "Dayzers," the
introduction of new terminals and a legislative change
affecting the recording of annual reports.
Established in 1726, Staatsloterij is licensed by the
Department of Finance in agreement with the Department
of Justice. Staatsloterij has a monopoly, and only one
license can be issued. At least 60 percent of turnover
must be paid out as prize money; the net profit is remitted
to the exchequer.
