Dutch Lottery Launches Legal Action Against Unlicensed Qbet

Civil Case Follows Record Regulatory Fine

The move comes shortly after a major penalty from the national regulator. In March, the Netherlands Gambling Authority issued a €24.8m fine to Novatech. The company operates Qbet and another brand, 55Bet, without a Dutch licence.

However, the Dutch Lottery is now taking a broader legal route — aiming to hold more parties accountable. The case targets not only the operator, but also directors, shell companies, and supporting entities. This step signals a shift in strategy — from fines to deeper legal pressure.

According to statements, the companies behind Qbet are based outside the Netherlands. They operate from Curaçao and Costa Rica, where oversight may differ. As a result, they are not allowed to offer gambling services to Dutch users.

Focus Shifts to Player Safety Risks

The state-owned operator argues that illegal casinos pose clear risks to users. These sites may lack proper checks and responsible gaming tools. That concern sits at the center of the case — and shapes its tone.

Dutch Lottery CEO Arjan Blok outlined the issue in direct terms. He said illegal sites still attract a large number of players. Around 200,000 people in the Netherlands may be using such services today.

He pointed to several risks linked to these casinos:

• No proper age verification systems

• Missing limits on spending or losses

• Bonuses that may encourage risky behavior

• Payment methods that could mislead users

Regulator Signals Limits of Current Fines

The case also highlights limits within the current legal system. While the €24.8m fine appears large, regulators say it may not go far enough.

KSA chair Michel Groothuizen addressed this issue earlier this year. He explained that fines cannot exceed 10% of a company’s global turnover. That rule sets a firm ceiling — even in serious cases.

Groothuizen noted that Novatech earned hundreds of millions from its activities. Without the cap, the fine could have passed €100m. That figure, he suggested, would better reflect the scale of the breach.

Part of A Wider Legal Push

This is not the first time the Dutch Lottery has taken such action. In 2025, it filed a similar case against Lalabet, another offshore operator. That case focused on both enforcement and financial damages.

The company claimed it lost between €15m and €20m in revenue. It linked those losses to unlicensed competition in 2023 and 2024. Subsequently, the dispute moved to court in The Hague earlier this month.