Unibet faces landmark €75 million lawsuit in the Netherlands

In an unprecedented legal challenge, Kindred Group’s Unibet is facing a collective compensation claim of €75 million from Dutch consumers who allege the operator profited from illegal gambling activity prior to the market’s regulation.

The lawsuit, spearheaded by consumer-claims organisation Dynamiet, represents 2,500 former customers and marks the first time a licensed operator in the Netherlands is being sued for its historic actions in the unregulated market.

The legal action targets Unibet’s operations before the launch of the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) in October 2021. During this period, offshore casinos like Unibet were actively accepting Dutch players without a licence, which the claimants argue was illegal.

Dynamiet contends that all gambling losses during this time were “unlawfully obtained” and that the agreements between Unibet and Dutch players should be considered “null and void.” The organisation points to a 2019 fine from the Dutch gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), as evidence that Unibet was knowingly in violation of the law.

“Waiting is for spectators; we are here to act,” said Deepak Thakoerdien, co-founder of Dynamiet. “For many of these people, it’s not just about money — it’s about recognition. They were ignored for years while being drained by an illegal casino.”

According to reports from Dutch outlet CasinoNieuws.nl, the summons has been formally served. Dynamiet’s case alleges that Unibet specifically targeted Dutch players by offering deposits via the local iDEAL system, providing Dutch-language customer service, and maintaining a Dutch-language website—all while failing to perform mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) checks.

The lawsuit against Unibet, which is headquartered in Malta, is not an isolated case. It forms a central part of Dynamiet’s wider campaign to hold operators accountable for their pre-regulation activities.

The organisation has already announced its intention to pursue legal action against six other major brands, including PokerStars, Betsson, and LeoVegas, representing a further 5,000 players and approximately €100 million in alleged losses.

Dynamiet operates on a “no-win, no-fee” basis, charging a 33 per cent commission only if the claim is successful.

This case is being closely watched as a potential landmark for retroactive liability in European gambling. While the Dutch government previously chose not to impose retroactive taxes on operators, this civil case tests a different legal principle. 

A successful outcome for Dynamiet could open the floodgates to numerous claims across the Netherlands and set a powerful precedent for historic accountability in other regulated European markets.