Since the regulation of the Dutch online gaming market in 2021, licensed operators have had to comply with strict rules. However, unauthorised platforms continue to attract Dutch players with promises of quick winnings. This is particularly true of Lalabet, an online gaming platform based in Costa Rica and operating for Dutch players without a legal licence.
The Nederlandse Loterij (Dutch Lottery), the public operator of games of chance in the Netherlands, has taken legal action against Lalabet, an online gambling platform based in Costa Rica. Their aim? To obtain an immediate halt to Lalabet’s unauthorised activities on Dutch territory, as well as financial compensation for unfair competition and undermining consumer protection. The Nederlandse Loterij believes that these practices are not only damaging its business by causing it to lose millions of euros in revenue, but are also endangering players by exposing them to increased risks of fraud, addiction and unregulated practices.
Arjan Blok, CEO of the Nederlandse Loterij, stresses that the main objective of this legal action is not financial restitution, but a firm response to illegal operations that undermine the integrity of the regulated industry. He estimates that the Nederlandse Loterij lost between €15 and €20 million in revenue between 2023 and 2024 due to competition from unauthorised operators. Blok also warns that these platforms are exposing vulnerable players, particularly young adults, to increased risks by failing to apply adequate protection measures.
Towards tighter regulation
This legal action comes at a time when the Dutch government is considering tightening regulations on gambling. Teun Struycken, Minister for Legal Protection, is proposing to raise the minimum age for high-risk gambling to 21 and to implement a universal deposit limit for all licensed operators.
Blok supports these initiatives but insists on the need for stronger enforcement against illegal gambling providers. He is calling for increased powers for the Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA), including the ability to block the IP addresses of unlicensed platforms. Discussions with technology giants such as Google and Meta are underway to reduce the online visibility of illegal gambling sites.
Who is Lalabet?
Lalabet is an online gambling platform that offers a wide range of sports betting and casino games, including slots, blackjack, roulette and online poker. Lalabet mainly targets an international audience, including the Dutch public, although it does not have a licence to operate in the Netherlands.
Unlike licensed platforms, Lalabet is not subject to the strict regulations of the Dutch market, which means that it can advertise as freely as it likes and does not have the same protections in place for players, such as deposit limits, anti-addiction measures or age controls. This allows them to attract players outside the legal framework, often by offering attractive bonuses and competitive odds on sports betting.
Background
Lalabet has already been the subject of regulatory controversy. Originally run by Curacao-based Casbit Group, the platform was sanctioned in April 2023 by the KSA for offering gambling services without a Dutch licence. Despite attempts to restrict access by Dutch players, a subsequent inspection revealed that the site remained accessible, resulting in a weekly fine of €280,000, capped at €840,000.At the end of 2024, Casbit Group declared bankruptcy in Curaçao after litigation related to unpaid player claims totalling €619,500. Lalabet’s operations were then transferred to SkyGrow Group in Costa Rica, allowing the platform to continue offering services without a local licence.