Unibet Hit with €75M Dutch Claim Over Pre-Licence Play

Online gambling operator Unibet Netherlands is facing a €75 million collective compensation lawsuit initiated by Dutch consumer advocacy group Dynamiet. The claim, representing 2,500 former players, seeks restitution for gambling losses allegedly incurred before the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) took effect on 1 October 2021.

Background of the Lawsuit

According to Dynamiet, Unibet and other offshore operators offered gambling services to Dutch customers without a valid licence during the pre-regulated period. The group argues that these activities were illegal and that all related player agreements should therefore be declared “null and void.”

The legal filing targets Kindred Group Limited (Unibet’s parent company) and its former subsidiary Risepoint Limited. Court documents confirm that the District Court of The Hague has officially accepted the summons, following service by a court bailiff.

Kindred’s corporate restructuring ( including its 2025 acquisition by FDJ United ) does not exempt it from liability, according to Dynamiet’s legal team.

Dynamiet’s Legal Strategy

Led by cofounder Deepak Thakoerdien, Dynamiet describes the case as a “first-of-its-kind legal challenge” aimed at securing compensation for players who suffered losses under unregulated conditions.

“For many victims, this isn’t just about the money, it's about being heard,” said Thakoerdien. “They were drained by platforms that operated illegally. We are acting where others stand by.”

The lawsuit will initially represent 1,000 claimants, with another 1,500 to follow in later stages. Combined, the claims total €75 million in alleged losses.

Dynamiet previously won a high-profile case against Bureau Krediet Registratie (BKR) and now seeks to apply similar consumer protection principles to the online gambling sector.

Regulatory Context and Allegations

According to reports from CasinoNieuws.nl, Unibet permitted Dutch users to gamble using iDEAL payments, Dutch-language support and localized websites, all indicators that the operator actively targeted the Netherlands before holding a valid licence.

The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) had fined Unibet in 2019 for breaching national gambling laws. Dynamiet argues this proves the company “knowingly violated the Gambling Act.”

The claim also highlights how, during the transition to the KOA regime, the Dutch Parliament chose not to impose retroactive taxes on illegal operators, a decision that was heavily criticized at the time. The KSA later introduced a cooling-off period for firms like Unibet, delaying their market entry until 4 July 2022.

A Test Case for Retroactive Accountability

If successful, the case could reshape how European regulators handle pre-licence activity in gambling markets. Legal experts describe the lawsuit as a potential precedent for retroactive liability, enabling similar mass claims across Europe.

Dynamiet’s campaign doesn’t stop with Unibet the group has also announced planned actions against PokerStars, Betsson, Bwin, LeoVegas, 888 Casino, and N1 Casino, representing another €100 million in total claims across 5,000 players.

Operating on a no-cure-no-fee model, Dynamiet funds its own litigation and takes a 33% success commission only in the event of a win.

Looking Ahead

The Unibet case could become one of the most significant tests of consumer restitution in regulated iGaming markets. Beyond financial compensation, it raises broader questions about how Europe’s gambling industry should confront the legacy of its unlicensed past.