Nederlandse Loterij Sues LalaBet: Fighting Illegal Gambling
Reasons for the Lawsuit Against LalaBet
Nederlandse Loterij, the largest lottery operator in the Netherlands, has filed a lawsuit against the unlicensed iGaming operator LalaBet.
According to the company, the illegal service has a significant impact on the regulated market by offering gambling to local players without a license.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the damage caused by LalaBet amounted to €15–20 million in 2023–2024.
Gambling Regulation in the Netherlands
The Netherlands legalized online gambling in 2021, introducing strict regulations to protect players:
- Limits on bets and deposits
- Mandatory verification of players’ financial capabilities when exceeding limits
- Licensing and oversight by the regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA)
Despite this, illegal operators such as LalaBet continue to offer their services in violation of established rules.
KSA’s Response and Measures to Combat the Illegal Market
In 2024, KSA had already fined LalaBet, but the operator continued its activities. Nederlandse Loterij is demanding stricter measures, including the ability to block unlicensed websites.
The company has also reached out to Meta and Google to restrict advertising of illegal gambling.
Who is Behind LalaBet?
Previously, the platform was managed by a company that declared bankruptcy. However, its operations are now carried out by a new legal entity registered in Costa Rica. This complicates oversight and holding violators accountable.
The Future of the Fight Against Illegal Operators
Nederlandse Loterij CEO Arno Block stated that the company intends to combat illegal operators, starting with the biggest violators.
He supports expanding the powers of KSA to allow the regulator to block illegal sites offering services without a license.
Conclusion
The fight against illegal gambling in the Netherlands is becoming increasingly relevant. Nederlandse Loterij and KSA aim to create a transparent and safe market, but the activities of operators like LalaBet undermine regulatory efforts.
New initiatives and legislative measures may soon emerge to protect players and maintain fair competition.