Unibet pays gambler hundreds of thousands after groundbreaking ruling
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19 Nov 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes A Dutch gambler has won a major victory against Unibet. The judge ruled that the online casino had to repay him an amount of € 676,224. The player had lost this amount over a period of ten years, when Unibet did not yet have a license to operate in the Netherlands. The verdict is not only a personal victory for the gambler, but also marks a milestone in legal cases against online gambling companies.
Although Unibet has appealed, the company has already transferred a large part of the amount, it now appears. The gambler from Hengelo does not want to say exactly how much he received, but calls it a “fairly large part”. He seems relieved and satisfied with the outcome.
The background of the case
The case revolves around the period between 2011 and 2021. At that time, Unibet, through parent company Trannel Limited, offered online gambling without official permission in the Netherlands. Online gambling has only been legalized in the Netherlands since October 2021. The court declared the gambling agreement invalid, meaning that Unibet was obliged to repay the lost amounts.
This verdict is remarkable, because the Supreme Court is currently dealing with similar legal questions in other cases. Nevertheless, the Overijssel District Court decided not to wait for this specific case and to make its own ruling.
Life after the case
The gambler told the Algemeen Dagblad that he no longer has a gambling problem. He emphasized that he does not want to share any more details about his situation.
“I am happy that I can close this chapter.”
The lawsuit seems to have brought him not only financial, but also emotional peace.
What does this mean for other cases?
This verdict could have consequences for other ongoing cases between gamblers and casinos that were active before legalization. For players, this is a sign that they are not powerless against big companies. It may encourage others to take legal action if they have suffered similar losses.
For online casinos such as Unibet, the message is also clear: activities without a license can entail major risks. This could lead to greater caution in the industry, now that gambling companies realize they can be held liable for actions prior to active legalization.
It also raises questions about the future of enforcement and regulation in the gambling industry. Online casinos may become more aware of the risks of unlicensed activities.