Curaçao Court Overturns $123K Casino Payout Ruling in Landmark Appeal
A long-running legal dispute over unpaid casino winnings has reached a final decision in Curaçao. The appeals court overturned an earlier ruling that held a former master licensee responsible for $123,000 in alleged unpaid player profits. The case centred on whether Gaming Services Provider (GSP) could be liable for payouts made by an operator after its sublicense had expired.
The dispute began when a player claimed $123,000 in unpaid winnings from Topbet.eu, an online casino. The funds were allegedly won in May 2020, but the operator's sublicense under GSP had already been terminated in November 2017. The appeals court found no evidence that Topbet.eu continued to display GSP's license after that date.
The player's case struggled due to a lack of proof showing exactly when the winnings were earned. The court also ruled that GSP had no legal duty to monitor the operator after the contract ended. Under the Offshore Hazard Games Ordinance 1993, license holders were not required to oversee former sublicensees once agreements were terminated.
Additionally, the court dismissed claims that GSP had breached its obligations by granting a sublicense to a foreign company. While the ordinance required permit holders to be Curaçao residents, this rule did not apply to sublicensees. As a result, the appeals court ordered the player to cover GSP's legal costs.
The ruling confirms that GSP is not liable for the $123,000 in disputed winnings. The decision also clarifies that former license holders have no ongoing responsibility for operators after contracts end. The player must now compensate GSP for the legal expenses incurred during the case.
