Record Fine for Unibet Over Gambling Regulation Violations

In the Netherlands, the regulator KSA fined the operator Unibet a record €4 million for failing to comply with responsible gaming requirements, with violations identified in at least 10 player cases.

Reasons Behind the Unibet Fine

The review showed that Optdeck Service Limited, operating under the Unibet brand, did not fulfill its mandatory duty to protect players between July 14, 2022, and July 1, 2024. According to the KSA, the company failed to take necessary measures to prevent excessive activity and ignored clear signs of risky behavior.

Delayed Response from the Operator

According to the KSA, several customers deposited thousands of euros per day. Despite such transactions, income checks were carried out only weeks later, by which time players had already suffered significant losses. The operator did not promptly analyze the source of funds, although it was required to do so at the first signs of risk.

The regulator also noted that the interventions used were far too weak: warnings appeared as pop-up messages that could be dismissed with a single click. This approach did not provide adequate control.

Errors in Financial Data Verification

The KSA found that when assessing the financial capacity of some players, the operator included income sources that are not permitted under the rules, such as funds from a corporate account. This led to incorrect risk assessments and the absence of necessary restrictions.

Regulator’s Position

KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen explained that when large sums are wagered in a short period of time, the operator must request income information and verify its accuracy. The analysis must be carried out carefully and only with allowed sources of funds.

According to the regulator, violations related to player protection are considered extremely serious, and the KSA will continue to take strong action in such cases.