Unibet Netherlands faces a collective compensation claim of €75m led by Dutch consumer-claims organisation Dynamiet.
A lawsuit has been filed representing 2,500 Dutch customers of Unibet NL who seek lost money from the operator,for facilitating illegal online gambling prior to the launch of the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) on 1 October 2021.
Dynamiet, which recently won a multi-million payout against the credit agency of Bureau Krediet Registratie (BKR), has now turned its focus to the online gambling sector.
The organisation stated that it is pursuing a “first-of-its-kind legal challenge” against a gambling firm seeking a Dutch licence, arguing that operators who profited from illegal activity before regulation should face restitution claims.
At that time, Unibet and other offshore casinos were operating without a Dutch licence — a status that claimants argue rendered their gambling losses unlawful.
Leading the claim, Deepak Thakoerdien, Dynamiet’s cofounder, said the move reflects the organisation’s broader mission to secure justice for those who were financially and emotionally harmed by unregulated online gambling.
“For many of these people, it’s not just about money — it’s about recognition,” he explained. “They were ignored for years while being drained by an illegal casino. Waiting is for spectators; we are here to act.”
Dynamiet has confirmed that it will initially file claims for 1,000 players, with the remaining 1,500 to be added in stages, bringing the total claim value to approximately €75 million. The action targets Kindred Group, Unibet’s parent company, and its subsidiary Risepoint.
According to Dutch iGaming news outlet CasinoNieuws.nl, the summons has already been formally served by a court bailiff. -“The case is being heard by the District Court of The Hague and concerns two entities: Kindred Group Limited (formerly Kindred Group Plc) and Risepoint Limited (formerly Trannel International Limited). Risepoint is no longer part of the group following Kindred’s recent acquisition by FDJ (now FDJ United).”
CasinoNieuws.nl further reports that Dynamiet accuses Unibet of admitting Dutch players for years without holding a valid licence, while failing to meet mandatory player-safety checks such as Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.
The legal services provider claims that Dutch consumers could deposit via iDEAL, use Dutch-language customer service, and play on a Dutch-language website, all of which suggest that the operator specifically targeted the Dutch market in violation of gambling law.
The combined losses of the players involved have amounted to approximately €75 million, money Dynamiet argues was “unlawfully obtained”, since agreements between Unibet and Dutch players should be considered as “null and void.”
The organisation also points to a 2019 fine imposed by Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands Gambling Authority against Unibet for operating illegally, arguing that the company “deliberately acted in violation of the Gambling Act.”
“You can’t avoid responsibility,” Dynamiet stated in its press release.
In 2019, during the final phase of the KOA’s passage, the Dutch House of Representatives (Kamer) chose not to impose retroactive tax liabilities on operators for their pre-market activities — a decision that drew criticism from several ministers.
However, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) implemented a cooling-off period for operators such as Unibet, which already held a significant Dutch customer database, a judgement the regulator deemed to be in the market’s interest.
As a result, Unibet’s market launch was delayed until 4 July 2022, one year after the KOA regime came into effect.
The claim against Unibet forms part of a wider campaign by Dynamiet, which in early 2025 announced its intention to take legal action against six other foreign gambling brands including PokerStars, Betsson, N1 Casino, Bwin, LeoVegas, and 888 Casino. Collectively, these cases represent around 5,000 players and €100 million in alleged losses.
Unlike typical litigation funds, Dynamiet operates independently and self-finances its actions on a no-cure-no-fee basis, charging a 33% commission only upon success.
Legal experts see the Unibet case as a potential landmark for retroactive liability in Dutch gambling law. If successful, it could open the door for further mass claims against operators that accepted Dutch players before the KOA regime, setting a precedent for historic accountability in Europe’s regulated gambling markets.
