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Holland Casinos Set Good Example

6 September 1999

I had an opportunity to look over a booklet about gaming in the Netherlands that is distributed by Holland Casino establishments. In addition to the usual information about how to play the games, I discovered some advice about gambling that I've never found in literature published by any casino in America...and probably never will! For example:

"An enjoyable evening out needn't cost a fortune...and once you're in a casino, it's sometimes very tempting to spend more than you originally intended. So you'd be wise, before visiting a Holland Casino establishment, to determine how much you want to spend on an evening out. And to make sure not to bring more than that amount with you."

Or how about this advice from the booklet:

"And in a Holland Casino establishment you needn't feel awkward about retiring from play when you're winning. For, naturally, winning streaks are a myth. And there's nothing to beat going home with cash in hand. All in all, it's very much up to you whether or not your visit to a Holland Casino establishment remains an enjoyable evening out."

Now that's rock-solid information for gaming enthusiasts in ANY country! Do you think any casino around here would tell you "winning streaks are a myth"? No way. It is the opinion of this columnist that casino operators in the United States create unrealistic expectations for the public via their advertising and promotions.

What's more, once you're in a casino, especially here in the Chicago-area where riverboat casinos are obliged by law to cruise, it's very tempting to gamble beyond your means. The availability of on-board cash machines and credit card debit services makes it that much easier.

Hats off to the Holland Casinos for emphasizing responsible gaming.

Here are some other tidbits of information I picked up about Holland Casinos: Winnings of any size are completely free of tax...Coin buckets for slot players are lined with foam rubber at the bottom to cut down on casino noise...Table games, at least in the Amsterdam location, are on a separate level from the slot machines to allow people to play under more tranquil conditions.

Finally, these notes about blackjack in the Netherlands: Players are referred to as boxholders. You may stand behind a player, or boxholder, and choose to bet along with him or her by placing a bet in the appropriate circle! The boxholder makes all the decisions. You win when they win and lose when they lose. Also, the dealer does not take a second card until all the players at the table have acted on their hands.

John G. Brokopp

John G. Brokopp's gaming column appears in Chicago Sun Times (Chicago, Illinois), The Times (Northwest Indiana), The Quad City Times (Davenport, Iowa), The Courier News (Elgin, Illinois), The Gazette (Southwest Suburban Chicago) and Senior Wire (Denver, CO). He's also a regular contributor to The Colorado Gambler, Midwest Gaming & Travel, Casino Player and Strictly Slots. John possesses 28 years of experience as a professional handicapper, publicist, freelance writer, and casino gaming correspondent. He is also the author of two very popular books, The Insider’s Guide to Internet Gambling and Thrifty Gambling.

Books by John G. Brokopp:

> More Books By John G. Brokopp

John G. Brokopp
John G. Brokopp's gaming column appears in Chicago Sun Times (Chicago, Illinois), The Times (Northwest Indiana), The Quad City Times (Davenport, Iowa), The Courier News (Elgin, Illinois), The Gazette (Southwest Suburban Chicago) and Senior Wire (Denver, CO). He's also a regular contributor to The Colorado Gambler, Midwest Gaming & Travel, Casino Player and Strictly Slots. John possesses 28 years of experience as a professional handicapper, publicist, freelance writer, and casino gaming correspondent. He is also the author of two very popular books, The Insider’s Guide to Internet Gambling and Thrifty Gambling.

Books by John G. Brokopp:

> More Books By John G. Brokopp