The Dutch gambling regulatory authority Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) has issued a hefty fine of 4 million euros (approximately 31 million yuan) to Unibet's Dutch operator, Optdeck Service Limited. This substantial fine stems from the regulator's determination that the operator failed to fulfill its legal duty to protect players from excessive gambling harm over a two-year period. This is no small matter, clearly conveying that regulation of "responsible gambling" in Europe's mature markets is becoming unprecedentedly strict.
Hefty Fine and Two Years of Negligence
According to Ksa's findings, from July 14, 2022, to July 1, 2024, Optdeck failed to effectively fulfill its "duty of care." The regulator reviewed multiple player accounts, particularly those who suffered the most losses during the assessment period. The investigation identified a common issue: when a player's gambling behavior clearly showed high risk, Optdeck did not intervene in a timely manner. Many players deposited thousands of euros in a single day, yet the operator did not promptly check their financial capacity, often conducting income verifications weeks after dangerous behaviors had occurred, by which time players had already suffered significant financial losses.
Delayed Checks and Ineffective Interventions
Ksa pointed out that the protective measures implemented by Optdeck were "insufficient." In many cases, the so-called interventions were merely pop-up reminders that a player could easily dismiss. More critically, the company included sources of funds, such as business account funds, which are not allowed under Dutch regulations, in its assessments of players' financial capabilities, meaning the checks were neither timely nor accurate. The chairman of Ksa emphasized that when signs of excessive gambling appear, operators must promptly investigate the sources of funds and must correctly execute analysis procedures.
Repeated Fines and Market Warnings
The 4 million euro fine is another regulatory measure Optdeck has faced in the Netherlands this year. In September, the company was fined 450,000 euros for offering types of football betting on the Unibet platform that are prohibited in the Netherlands (such as bets involving players under 21, corner kicks, yellow cards). Additionally, in June, the company received two formal warnings for advertising violations and issues with the autoplay feature.
This series of penalties has also affected the market performance of its parent company, FDJ United, whose stock price fell by more than 4% on the Paris Stock Exchange following the announcement. For the regulatory authority, Optdeck's repeated violations mean it will be subject to ongoing intensified supervision.
Globally, from player protection in Europe to park rectifications in Asia, regulatory compliance has become an unshakable rule of survival in the gambling industry. For more in-depth information on global gambling regulations and compliance cases, visit the PASA official website for professional reports.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original in-depth gambling channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
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PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
