The European Commission has started an investigation into Dutch efforts to stop banks processing payments for online betting services, the Telegraaf reports on Friday.

‘The European Commissioner has asked the appropriate services to start an investigation into the banking blockade,’ a spokesman for commissioner Charlie McCreevy told the Telegraaf. ‘As far as we are aware, the Netherlands is the only country in Europe to do such a thing.’
The justice ministry has ordered banks to stop helping their customers pay for internet gambling services or face legal action.
Betting in the Netherlands is in the hands of the state and there are no licenced online betting sites. A survey in January said the Dutch are spending €450m a year on illegal internet gambling.
Yesterday, British online betting group Betfair said it was taking legal action against the Dutch ban on internet gambling which it claims breaks single market rules.