The online gambling industry in the Netherlands has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the most notable shift occurring in October 2021, when online gambling was officially legalized. Prior to this, Dutch law prohibited online gambling, but many foreign operators continued to provide services. Now, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands is expected to make a final ruling on an important case.
Legalization of Online Gambling
In October 2021, the Netherlands launched its regulated online gambling market, allowing companies to obtain licenses to operate legally. This move brought more regulation and consumer protection. In April this year, a Dutch court drew widespread attention in the legal community by ruling that two unlicensed online gambling companies must compensate a player who lost approximately $224,000.
Since the April ruling, momentum for class action lawsuits has been growing, with players seeking to recover losses incurred before the legalization of online gambling. These lawsuits are led by foundations like Gokverliesterug and law firms such as Loonstein Advocaten. Under the leadership of lawyer Benzi Loonstein, Loonstein Advocaten has attracted over 20,000 participants to join the collective claim against online gambling companies.
The Gokverliesterug Foundation is one of the main voices demanding companies to reimburse losses incurred before October 2021. Representing Dutch consumer interests, lawyer Koen Rutten stated that many foreign online casinos ignored Dutch law, assuming they would not be held accountable. Rutten said, "Many foreign online casinos have ignored Dutch rules for years, assuming they wouldn't get caught. They must be held accountable for that period, even though they are now licensed."
Before October 2021, online gambling was illegal in the Netherlands. However, international companies like Unibet, Bwin, and Pokerstars continued to operate in the country despite legal restrictions. For Dutch players, the Supreme Court's ruling represents a potential victory in their fight for justice. If the ruling is in their favor, players might receive substantial financial compensation to cover their losses.
Growth of Licensed Operators
As of now, there are 27 companies in the Dutch market with 37 different brand operating licenses, and this number is expected to continue to grow. Hard Rock Casino NL has partnered with BetComply to obtain a Dutch license, further reflecting the market's competitiveness. As more companies seek to enter the regulated Dutch market, such partnerships are becoming increasingly common, highlighting the Netherlands' growing importance as a key player in the global online gambling industry.
