In a significant legal development, foreign gambling providers, Bwin and Pokerstars, have been ordered by Dutch courts to repay large sums of money lost by gamblers. This decision comes against the backdrop of these companies operating without a license in the Netherlands during the periods their services were used by the plaintiffs.
Background of the Cases
In two separate cases, individuals from Staphorst and Almelo suffered substantial financial losses through online gambling platforms provided by Bwin and Pokerstars, respectively. The gambler from Staphorst lost 187,000 euros between 2018 and 2019, while the Almelo resident lost 217,000 euros between 2006 and 2021. Notably, both companies did not hold licenses to operate in the Dutch market during these periods.
Legal Landscape
Until April 1, 2021, the Dutch government had not issued permits for the online gambling market, despite its flourishing state. This issue was highlighted as early as 2012 when the Supreme Court ruled on the illegal offerings by international gambling companies. Despite the ruling, these companies remained accessible to Dutch users, largely due to the global nature of the internet and the difficulty in enforcing such regulations.
Court’s Ruling
Dutch Courts Order Repayment by PokerStars and BWin for Unlicensed OperationsImplications and Future Prospects
Dutch Courts Order Repayment by PokerStars and BWin for Unlicensed Operations Dutch Courts Order Repayment by PokerStars and BWin for Unlicensed Operations Dutch Courts Order Repayment by PokerStars and BWin for Unlicensed Operations