What seemed like a familiar daily routine at a brasserie in Utrecht that employs people with disabilities turned into a financial disaster. The story begins with a 52-year-old man, formerly in charge of the establishment, who was addicted to gambling in search of thrills. Faced with an uncontrollable obsession, he saw the company’s finances as a means of indulging his urges.
Gambling addiction: when addiction becomes criminal
Gambling addiction is no ordinary vice: it distorts perception, increases illegal behaviour and can undermine even the strongest consciences. In this particular case, the man embezzled more than €75,000 using repeated fraudulent methods: money taken from the cash register, misuse of the company’s bank card, and even manipulation of customer payments via a payment terminal linked to his own account. This fraud continued until the employer launched an internal investigation, revealing what might seem almost unimaginable in an institution working for social and professional inclusion.
Before the court in Utrecht, the accused admitted that it was his addiction that had led him to act in this way.
Cruks, therapy and attempts at redemption
He didn’t just settle for a simple mea culpa: the man registered with Cruks, the Dutch system designed to exclude compulsive gamblers from legal casinos. He also committed to a payment plan to repay his debts, although his path to rehabilitation has not been without its challenges. Even after acknowledging his actions, he once again broke the law, notably by defrauding individuals through fake wine sales on the Marktplaats website. Fortunately, all of his victims were reimbursed.
The court faces the man
The judge presiding over the case opted for a lenient decision. Imprisonment would certainly have been justified, but he felt that society would benefit more from the man being able to work and make amends for his wrongdoing. He was therefore sentenced to 240 hours of unpaid community service, half of which was suspended. This humane choice was based on the belief that recovery comes through social responsibility rather than imprisonment.Looking at national statistics, it is clear that cases like this are not isolated. Gambling addiction affects around 79,000 Dutch people, a figure higher than those affected by alcohol or drug addiction combined. Young people, in particular, are increasingly vulnerable.