The Consumer Association Demands Compensation from Online Casino Operators
The Dutch Consumer Association, together with a collective claims foundation, has selectively demanded compensation from six licensed operators for insufficient disclosure of bonus terms, the use of manipulative interfaces, and excessively high play limits introduced after the market was legalized in October 2021.
Main Claims Against the Operators
The association stated that these companies misled players and encouraged excessive gambling. The list of operators includes Bet365, BetCity, Holland Casino Online, Jacks, Unibet, and TOTO.
According to the organization, the violations include:
- insufficient and unclear information provided to players
- the use of unfair default settings
- setting excessively high gambling limits
- using prohibited bonus systems
- aggressive and misleading advertising
Violations Among State-Owned Operators
Particularly serious violations were identified at the state-owned operators TOTO and Holland Casino Online. According to the association, such actions conflict with the operators’ responsibility to ensure a safe environment for players.
The research found that some casinos offered bonuses labeled as “free,” even though this was not true. In addition, players were given extremely high limits, creating a risk of significant financial losses.
The Consumer Association’s Position
Sandra Molenaar, director of the Consumer Association, stated that online casinos use illegal practices to extract as much money as possible from players. She emphasized that consumers are entitled to compensation due to these actions.
A similar view was expressed by Bert Heikens, head of the Consumenten Competition Claims foundation, who stressed that the legalization of online gambling was intended to create a safe environment for users, but in reality, players have been “thrown to the wolves.”
Next Steps for the Organization
The association reported that if the operators refuse to meet the demands, the organization is prepared to take the case to court. The demands are based on research conducted more than two years ago and aim to protect the rights of players.