KSA Imposes Weekly Fines on Unibet for Repeated Regulatory Violations

Overview of KSA’s Penalty Against Unibet

The Netherlands Gambling Authority, known as KSA, has taken action against Unibet’s operator, Optdeck, due to recurring breaches related to unauthorized sports betting activities. The authority has identified a significant risk that these violations may happen again.

Details of the Penalty

KSA has determined that if Unibet continues to offer prohibited betting options, the company will face weekly fines of 75,000 (around $81,000), with the total penalties capped at 450,000 (about $486,000). These fines will only be enforced if Unibet resumes the restricted betting services.

Nature of Violations

Investigations revealed repeated infractions by Unibet occurring between October 2022 and May 2025. During the 2023/2024 sports season, Unibet allowed betting on 214 matches involving players under 21 years old, which resulted in over 125,000 bets. Additionally, bets on specific match events like corner kicks and yellow cards were permitted, including during the Chelsea versus Manchester United match on May 15. Although Unibet later canceled these bets after identification, they were still considered violations under Dutch law.

Regulatory Concerns and Previous Warnings

KSA emphasized that betting on youth competitions and on easily influenced events such as corner kicks or disciplinary cards carries an increased risk of match-fixing. These types of wagers are strictly prohibited by Dutch regulations. The authority also pointed out that Unibet had already received several warnings about these forbidden betting practices.

Background of Conflicts Between KSA and Unibet

The current penalties are not the first clash between KSA and Unibet. Investigations uncovered ongoing infringements over an extended period, with warnings issued before major events such as the FIFA World Cup explicitly restricting bets on yellow cards.

Additional Regulatory Issues

Earlier this summer, KSA reprimanded Unibet for breaching advertising restrictions, including misusing sponsorship and incorporating banned autoplay features. Moreover, Unibet has faced scrutiny from other authorities. A few months ago, their parent company, Betchoice Corporation, was fined $1 million by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) after nearly 1,000 self-excluded customers’ accounts were not properly closed.