Experts say the Dutch government’s plans to allow online gambling market in the Netherlands are now unlikely to come into effect until 2017 at the earliest, broadcaster Nos said on Saturday.

The legislation, which should have gone through parliament this year, is still pending and MPs have doubts about who should be allowed to enter the Dutch market, Nos said. In addition, charities fear their income may be hit when online gambling is legalised and traditional lotteries lose support.

Currently, foreign firms are not supposed to target gamblers in the Netherlands, although the ban is widely ignored. The current laws date back 50 years, before the advent of internet.

The Telegraaf said in April more than 200 companies have expressed an interest in a licence to offer online gambling in the Netherlands.

Gambling regulator Ksa described the number of inquries as ‘high’ given the estimated size of the illegal market. The Ksa estimates people in the Netherlands spend between €250m and €800m on illegal online gambling a year.

The draft proposals also state the licence holders will have to contribute to a special fund to help gambling addicts. In addition, there will be a national register of players who break self-imposed limits and will be banned from playing.