Unibet, a Malta-based gambling giant, has come under fire for allegedly blocking lawsuits from former gamblers in the Netherlands who seek to recover millions in gambling losses. These lawsuits are related to Unibet’s operations in the country before online gambling was legalized in October 2021. Several customers have already succeeded in their legal actions, likely prompting the company to take preemptive measures.
New Legal Actions Arise
Many clients report being unable to access their account details due to an alleged change in Unibet’s methods. Dutch lawyer Benzi Loonstein, representing thousands of aggrieved gamblers, has accused the company of deliberately stalling the process.
“Until April 27, 2024, the day the judge awarded the first damages, everything was fine. Then Unibet started to delay,” Loonstein told Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf.
Loonstein claims that updated regulations in Malta prohibit the provision of necessary data, with customers receiving responses that their account details are untraceable due to a company name change. He alleges that Malta has prohibited Unibet from sharing the required data, constituting intentional sabotage.
Loonstein has initiated legal proceedings on behalf of several clients, fighting to restore access to essential transaction data like deposit and withdrawal records. He also urged Dutch politicians and regulators to enhance consumer protection measures, advocating for more stringent licensing requirements for gambling companies that infringe upon consumer rights.
Customers Left with Few Options
Unibet acknowledges the challenges but frames them as the result of legal complexities related to a change of ownership. Now operating under its Maltese license holder Trannel, the company was divested by its former parent, Kindred Group, which sold its international operations to La Française des Jeux (FDJ).
In response to the controversy, Unibet indicated that gamblers may review their financial transactions via their banks. Loonstein, however, contends that this solution is inadequate, as banks do not reflect transactions through intermediaries like PayPal, and their transaction history only goes back five to eight years.
“It is an excuse that distracts from their obligation to provide the data. A retailer you ask for a receipt from does not say: just look at your bank statements?” Loonstein argued.
Legal and Reputational Challenges
Unibet’s legal and reputational challenges in the Netherlands are likely to continue. The operator has already repaid over €2 million ($2.04 million) in damages, including a record €700,000 ($714,000) settlement to a gambler in Hengelo. As the newest legal process unfolds, the outcome could set a precedent for how gambling operators address legacy issues. While Unibet maintains its commitment to compliance, rising controversy could jeopardize its standing in the Dutch market.
