Two Dutch MPs are calling for an investigation into whether Unibet’s Netherlands gambling licence can be suspended or revoked, citing the company’s failure to resolve and compensate for “illegal practices from the past.”
Yesterday (14 January), Michiel van Nispen (pictured left) of the Socialist Party and Mirjam Bikker (pictured right) of the Christian Union submitted parliamentary questions in response to allegations levelled against Kindred-owned Unibet by lawyer Benzi Loonstein.
Earlier this week Loonstein, who represents thousands of affected clients through his law firm Loonstein Advocaten, accused Unibet of refusing to provide essential transaction data.
These records, detailing deposits and withdrawals, are essential for players seeking compensation for historical gambling losses, as they provide crucial evidence to support their legal claims in court.
“Sabotage”
In a letter to the Dutch House of Representatives, Loonstein described Unibet’s actions as deliberate “sabotage.”
The lawyer further argued that under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Unibet is legally required to grant clients access to their data.
In response to the allegations, Kindred Group cited differences in GDPR enforcement between Malta and the Netherlands, and noted that a surge in data requests from Dutch customers had complicated the process.
Kindred also explained that after the company’s sale to French gaming giant La Française des Jeux (FDJ), Trannel Limited — the entity responsible for Unibet’s operations in the Netherlands — was divested and transferred to new ownership.
“Due to this divestment, Kindred no longer has insight into or influence over how these requests are handled,” Kindred said.
A valid explanation?
In their formal parliamentary submission, van Nispen and Bikker pressed state secretary for justice and security, Teun Struycken, to take a firm stance on the matter.
They asked whether he was aware of Loonstein’s claims and what his position is on Unibet’s past operations in the Dutch market between 2004 and 2021.
The MPs also expressed concern about Unibet’s refusal to meet GDPR obligations since April 2024 and questioned whether the company’s justifications for withholding transaction data could be considered valid.
Furthermore, van Nispen and Bikker suggested that Struycken should investigate the feasibility of suspending or revoking Unibet’s licence.
They also encouraged him to initiate discussions with the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) about enforcing potential penalties on Unibet for its non-compliance with data protection regulations.
When contacted by NEXT.io, the KSA refrained from commenting on the specifics of the case, citing its classification as a civil legal matter.
Nevertheless, the regulator indicated that it will examine possible consequences should a licence holder fail to comply with obligations following a judicial ruling.
