Mass Claim Filed Against International Gambling Providers for Dutch Player Losses

The Foundation for Gambling Law and Compensation has formally held a series of international gambling providers liable for gambling losses allegedly incurred by Dutch players in the years leading up to the legalization of online gambling on October 1, 2021. These liability claims are the prelude to a mass claim, with the Foundation seeking compensation payments on behalf of the affected players.

The list of providers held liable includes online casinos that, according to the Foundation, offered online games of chance to Dutch gamblers without a license. The Foundation states that the following gambling companies, among others, have been contacted this week:

• PokerStars
• Unibet
• LeoVegas
• Betsson
• 888 Casino
• Bwin
• N1 Interactive

• William Hill
• Tipico
• 777
• Mr Green
• Royal Panda
• Dunder Casino
• Lucky Days

• CasinoWinner
• Kroon Casino
• Oranje Casino
• Loyal Casino
• Casumo
• 21 Casino

The liability claims were prepared by DeHaan Advocaten en Notarissen, which provides legal representation to the foundation.

The foundation, established in November 2024, asserts that these gambling companies operated in the Netherlands for years in violation of the Betting and Gaming Act. Some of the online casinos contacted now possess a license, but did not at the time the damages were incurred. The foundation bases its claims, in part, on previous court rulings that found agreements between players and online casinos to be null and void, allowing for the recovery of losses.

Claim Based on Transaction Data

To substantiate the extent of the damages, the Foundation demands that the providers involved provide an overview of deposits and withdrawals per individual player. Based on this data, the foundation aims to calculate the net losses. Chairman Achmed Baâoud warns in the press release that refusal to provide data could lead to an adverse estimation of damages by the court:

“Those who refuse to share data run the risk that the court will estimate the damage – to the detriment of the casino.”

Achmed Baâoud, Chairman of the Foundation for Gambling Law and Compensation

According to the foundation, over 60,000 Dutch gamblers have already joined the mass claims. The combined losses are said to amount to hundreds of millions of euros, according to the press release. The foundation refers to research by Motivaction, commissioned by the Foundation and Claimly, from March 2025, which, in addition to financial damage, also reports psychological and social problems among the victims.

The liability claims, according to the Foundation, mark the transition from mobilization to legal action. The next step in the project is to summon the online casinos addressed, bringing the case before the court.

In addition to the liability claims, the Foundation is also focusing on politics and the Gaming Authority. In the press release, the foundation advocates for the freezing of licenses for providers with an illegal past until all claims for damages have been settled. In addition, it calls for strict enforcement of the obligation to provide player data, and for a greater emphasis on addiction prevention in the assessment of license applications.

If you no longer have your gambling under control, you can register with Cruks (Central Register Exclusion of Games of Chance) via CruksRegister.nl. Once registered for this gambling stop, you can no longer play at land-based and online casinos. Cruks is a tool, not the ultimate solution. Read about responsible gaming and seek help if you cannot manage on your own.