Dutch court forces casinos to refund €217K lost in illegal gambling
A Dutch court has ordered two online casinos to refund a combined €217,000 to players who lost money before gambling became legal in the Netherlands. The ruling affects Unibet and an unnamed operator, both of which failed to respond to the summons. Lawyers for the players argue that losses incurred during the illegal period should never have been accepted.
Before October 2021, online gambling was banned in the Netherlands. Two former gamblers took legal action after losing money during this time. Their lawyer, Benzi Loonstein, called the case straightforward, stating that companies had no legal right to profits earned from illegal operations.
Unibet, based in Malta, was ordered to repay €93,000 to one player. The second casino, whose name was not disclosed, must refund €124,000 to another. Neither company responded to the court’s summons, resulting in default judgments. The ruling aligns with similar cases in Germany and Austria, where courts have also forced refunds for illegal gambling losses. However, Unibet has already filed an appeal, meaning the decision could still be overturned. Malta’s own laws now allow gambling firms to reject refund claims from foreign jurisdictions, adding another layer to the dispute. While the court’s decision stands for now, the legal fight is far from settled. The players’ lawyer remains confident, but the appeal process will determine whether the refunds are finalised.
The court’s order requires Unibet and the unnamed casino to return €217,000 in total. The case sets a precedent for other gamblers seeking refunds from illegal operations. However, the outcome still depends on the appeal and Malta’s legal stance on cross-border claims.
