The Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit – KSA) has issued a penalty order against Unibet operator Optdeck after uncovering repeated violations of Dutch betting rules between October 2022 and May 2025. Regulators cited a “real risk of recurrence” in prohibited sports wagering activity.
€75,000 Per Week for Future Offences
Under the order, Unibet faces a €75,000 (approx. $81,000) fine for each week it breaches the rules again, capped at €450,000 (approx. $486,000). The penalty will only be enforced if the operator resumes offering banned bets.
The KSA’s investigation found that during the 2023/24 season, Unibet accepted wagers on 214 matches involving players under 21 — generating more than 125,000 bets. The company also allowed betting on “spot” events such as corner kicks and yellow cards, including during the Chelsea vs. Manchester United match on 15 May. Although these wagers were later voided by Unibet, the regulator deemed them clear violations.
Why These Bets Are Banned
Dutch law prohibits betting on youth matches and easily manipulated in‑game events, which the KSA says carry a heightened risk of match‑fixing. The authority stressed that Unibet had been warned multiple times about these practices, including formal notices ahead of the FIFA World Cup explicitly banning yellow‑card markets.
A History of Run‑Ins
This is not the first clash between the KSA and Unibet. Earlier in 2025, the regulator reprimanded the operator for breaching strict advertising rules, citing improper sponsorships and the use of banned autoplay features.
Unibet has also faced regulatory action abroad. Just months ago, Australia’s communications regulator fined its parent company, Betchoice Corporation, $1 million after nearly 1,000 self‑excluded customers were able to keep gambling on its platform.
