Nasty Shock For Dutch Poker Player

The taxman wants his cut

The twoplustwo message board has been on fire this week after disclosures were made that a Dutch player was having tax problems.

The tax authorities are claiming a 29 percent cut of poker earnings in terms of the amended Betting and Gaming Tax Act, which claims the right to tax online winnings from foreign, but not domestic online gambling sites.

For some time the Dutch taxman has been badgering poker players on a selective basis at one time sending tax law advisories to some players and requesting they complete tax returns on any undeclared online winnings.

In the latest tax 'intervention' the authorities are on live and Internet poker player Steven Van Zadelhoff's case, raiding his home, taking documentation and insisting he pays them hundreds of thousands of Euros in unpaid taxes. Van Zadelhoff is a member of Everest Poker's Team Everest, where he plays No Limit Hold'emcash games up to $10/20, in addition to reportedly luctrative wins in live tournaments.

Van Zadelhoff's legal representative has issued a statement on the issue with the taxman, saying: “We were and still are in negotiation with the tax office. My client has never suggested not wanting to pay his debts. He is leaving for Malta because he needs to relax in a peaceful environment without worrying about taxes”.