The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has struck a heavy blow against regulatory non-compliance, issuing a €4 million fine to Optdeck Service, the operator responsible for the Unibet brand in the Netherlands.
The fine stems from serious violations regarding the operator’s duty of care, specifically its failure to intervene effectively when players exhibited clear signs of excessive gambling behavior.
The KSA’s investigation, which covered a two-year period between July 14, 2022, and July 1, 2024, uncovered alarming lapses in player protection protocols. According to the regulator, the operator failed to intervene in a timely manner with players who were depositing thousands of euros per day.
In many cases, requests for income verification, a standard requirement in the Netherlands for high-spending accounts, were only made after several weeks had passed. By that time, many players had already suffered very large, potentially devastating financial losses.
Furthermore, the KSA criticized the quality of the interventions that did take place, describing them as “far too weak.” The regulator noted that the operator often relied on simple pop-up warnings that players could easily click away, rather than imposing mandatory breaks or deposit limits. Additionally, the investigation found that when financial data was eventually checked, the operator incorrectly included income sources that are not permitted under Dutch law, such as business accounts.
This is not the first time Optdeck Services has faced regulatory scrutiny; the company was fined €400,000 last December for allowing self-excluded players to access its platform. This latest, much larger fine signals the KSA’s increasing intolerance for operators who prioritize revenue over player safety.
Michel Groothuizen, Chair of the KSA, stated:
“When there are signs of excessive gambling behaviour and someone is wagering enormous sums of money in a short period of time, an operator must promptly investigate the origin of the money. This can be done by requesting income information. It is essential that operators perform this analysis properly because not all financial resources may simply be counted. The KSA takes violations of the duty of care very seriously and will continue to take firm action.”
