Apple has removed dozens of apps for online casinos and betting from the App Store following a request from the Dutch gaming authority.

Currently, companies such as Unibet and Bwin are banned by law from operating in the Dutch market, and that means they cannot provide apps for Dutch smart phones, the gaming authority says.

The authority says 55 apps have been removed from sale and that has prevented at least 10,000 illegal downloads. The apps were not available via Google, broadcaster NOS said.

The government is currently working on new legislation which will legalise gambling apps for companies with a licence to operate in the Netherlands. The legislation opening up the Dutch state monopoly to the private sector is currently being processed in the upper house of parliament.

However, no change in the current situation is expected before 2018