In a legal battle that has stirred controversy in the Netherlands, four semi-professional gamblers have taken state-owned betting operator Toto to court for allegedly withholding a significant portion of their football betting winnings. The dispute revolves around winnings amounting to nearly €26,000 euros from bets placed on a Danish cup match in August 2022, with the plaintiffs claiming Toto has failed to honor the full payout.
The Gamblers’ Perspective:
While the average Dutch gambler reportedly loses €310 per month, these semi-professional players have managed to earn a living by exploiting errors made by gambling operators. This unique case underscores their contention that Toto’s actions epitomize an arbitrary treatment of players. According to Cupido van den Berg, one of the plaintiffs, winning seems to be disallowed by such companies.
Toto’s Defense:
Toto, on the other hand, maintains that the odds offered for the Danish cup match were a clear mistake. Their argument is grounded in the fact that HB Koge, a first-division club, was pitted against a second-division side, making it highly unlikely that the odds offered were accurate. They contend that the players recognized these odds as “too good to be true” and that, consequently, their winnings should be adjusted accordingly.
Placing the Bets and Identifying the Issue:
To place their bets, the gamblers opted for Toto’s retail betting outlets, which include venues such as cigar shops and supermarkets, enabling them to bypass the need for identification. Their wagers primarily revolved around HB Koge’s victory in the Danish Cup match, with odds promising payouts six to seven times their stakes.
Operator Reactions:
Notably, some operators, including Betcity, have reportedly taken the unusual step of blocking the accounts of the involved players without providing any explanation.
Regulatory Standpoint:
The Dutch gambling regulator, KSA, has commented on this matter, indicating that while regulations do not explicitly prohibit companies from limiting the bets of winning players or excluding them, such practices may be considered “undesirable.” It implies that mechanisms intended to protect vulnerable gamblers should not be used to penalize successful players.
Government Initiatives for Player Protection:
In response to concerns raised by KSA regarding player protection, the Dutch government is taking action. The Netherlands’ Minister for Legal Protection, Franc Weerwind, has affirmed the government’s acknowledgment of flaws in the current measures. He has disclosed the government’s intent to propose new rules for player protection early next year, with a focus on enhancing addiction prevention.
The Remote Gambling Act, which became effective in 2021, opened the regulated online gambling market in October of that year. An evaluation of this act in 2024 will also assess the effectiveness of addiction prevention measures.
The legal battle between the semi-professional gamblers and Toto reflects broader discussions surrounding player treatment and protection in the gambling industry. As Dutch authorities strive to strike a balance between responsible gaming and fair treatment of players, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the future of gambling regulation in the Netherlands.