DutchNews.nl - Amsterdam tackles red light gambling

Amsterdam city council wants to close down two of the biggest gambling arcades in the city’s red light district, arguing they are used by organised crime to launder money, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Tuesday.

The move is the latest in the city’s efforts to clean up the area by cancelling operating licences for people it says have criminal connections.

Two sex clubs, Casa Rosso and the Banana Bar, are currently appealing against losing their licences.

Amsterdam's tourist trade will be totally destroyed if the if the City Council have their way.I have been in Amsterdam EIGHT TIMES THIS YEAR AND THE negative Changes are very noticeable i.e streets and businesses are not as busy any more .I am not alone with that thought- not every one likes Boutiques or Museums and the majority of tourist' s certainly did not come for those reasons.A pity for the changes.

By frank kirk | May 14, 2008 6:23 PM

What ever about the gambling (not 4 me) but as a disabled tourist, with mobility problems that require I drive myself as close as I possibly can to where I need to get, hmm!, Disabled Parking in Amsterdam is horrendous, and no point asking any parking meter Police for assistance. Information! Oh, if I phone the Gemeente Parking staff to ask for advice ... they advise me to go and read their website. Not much use as I am looking for parking in Amsterdam - probably a dangerous suggestion as driving and reading on the Internet at the same time ...!!! Many Gemeentes advise that all their parking info is on the Internet. It would make life so much simpler if they put little icons and concise info where cars actually park! But they tell me this is too expensive ... well, Den Haag has done it!
Why cannot there be a uniform policy across the country!?

Then again, Dordecht is about the worst I have found in Holland to date - here they issue €50 parking fines to disabled who park on Disabled Parking Bays and clearly Display an EU Disabled Blue Badge ... I kid you not!
(edit)I can't post photos here can I?

By Gerard | May 15, 2008 7:30 PM