Consumer Rights groups in the Netherlands continue to press the government to take action on compensation of players prior for misleading and harmful practices.
The latest intervention comes from Consumentenbond (Consumers’ Association) and the Consumers’ Competition Claims Foundation, which have formally demanded that leading online casinos compensate players misled or encouraged into excessive gambling prior to market regulation.
Dutch online gambling licences named include: bet365, Betcity, Holland Casino, Jacks, Unibet and Toto, alleging that the operators violated their legal obligations by providing unclear information, unfair defaults, and deceptive bonus offers that encouraged players to spend irresponsibly.
Sandra Molenaar, Director of Consumentenbond, commented: “Online casinos are trying to rip off as much money as possible from consumers. This is not only irresponsible, but also completely illegal. Consumers are entitled to compensation for these illegal practices — and we will try to arrange that for them.”
Echoing her view, Bert Heikens, Chairman of the Consumers’ Competition Claims Foundation, added: “Consumers must be able to rely on a safe gaming environment. That was, simply put, the intention when online gambling was legalised in the Netherlands. That’s not the case now. Consumers are at the mercy of the wolves.”
Both organisations have called on the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) to investigate whether licensed operators breached their duty-of-care commitments, warning that collective legal action will follow if no remedial action is taken.
Unibet faces explosive €75m lawsuit
The mounting consumer backlash coincides with a separate €75 million collective compensation claim filed in September against Unibet Netherlands by consumer-claims organisation Dynamiet.
Representing 2,500 Dutch players, the case — now before the District Court of The Hague — alleges that Unibet and its parent company, Kindred Group, facilitated illegal online gambling and targeted Dutch consumers before the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) came into effect on 1 October 2021.
“For many of these people, it’s not primarily about money — it’s about recognition,” said Deepak Thakoerdien, co-founder of Dynamiet. “They were ignored for years while being drained by an illegal casino. Waiting is for spectators; we are here to act.”
Dynamiet argues that Unibet’s Dutch-language website, iDEAL payment system, and local customer support demonstrate a deliberate focus on the Dutch market before licensing. The organisation also referenced the 2019 KSA fine against Unibet for illegal activity, calling for past violations to be factored into current regulatory oversight.
Legal experts have described the case as a potential landmark in European gambling law, setting a precedent for retroactive liability and paving the way for broader restitution claims against other pre-KOA operators.
Response and assurance needed in 2026
As regulatory and legal scrutiny grows, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the Netherlands’ new liberal coalition government will approach KOA market reforms.
The administration faces a pivotal decision — whether to empower the KSA to enforce tougher compliance measures, or allow the judiciary to absorb a wave of collective lawsuits that could overwhelm the courts and ultimately demand full government intervention.
For Consumentenbond and its partners, the message remains clear: until accountability is enforced, the promise of a safe and transparent online gambling market will remain unfulfilled.
