Dutch Regulator Issues €500,000 Fine to LeoVegas

The Dutch gambling regulator has imposed a €500,000 fine on LeoVegas after determining that the operator did not adequately comply with legally mandated duty of care requirements. The penalty follows an investigation into LeoVegas’ player protection practices that examined activity between October 2023 and May 2024, a period during which regulators found repeated shortcomings in how the company identified and addressed potential gambling-related harm.

According to the regulator, the inquiry focused on whether LeoVegas took appropriate action when customer behavior suggested elevated risk. To conduct the review, the authority requested several individual customer files. Officials concluded that every file examined showed deficiencies, leading to the conclusion that the operator’s responses were consistently inadequate.

Under Dutch gambling law, licensed operators must actively monitor player behavior and intervene when signs of excessive or harmful gambling emerge. The regulator stated that LeoVegas did not meet this standard, concluding: “As far as we are concerned, LeoVegas did not comply sufficiently with that duty of care.”

The findings highlighted multiple examples where warning signs appeared but were not addressed in a timely or effective manner. In one case, a customer lost “tens of thousands of euros” over a short period. Despite the scale and speed of the losses, the regulator found that LeoVegas failed to step in promptly. Authorities viewed this as a missed opportunity to prevent further harm.

Another reviewed case involved a player exhibiting what the regulator described as “serious” indicators of gambling harm. In that situation, the operator’s initial response was limited to a pop-up warning. The regulator noted that such messages can be dismissed easily and do not offer meaningful protection on their own, particularly when risk indicators are already pronounced.

Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the regulator’s board, said the shortcomings struck at the core of the player protection framework. He emphasized the importance of active intervention when risk signals become apparent. “The duty of care is an essential part of the wider range of player protection. Providers must respond adequately to immoderate play. Large losses in a short time are an important signal of this. We have intensified our supervision of the duty of care and gambling providers are tackling this hard, because such an important part should not be neglected,” Groothuizen said.

The regulator reiterated that duty of care obligations apply to all licensed gambling operators in the Netherlands. Companies must take reasonable and timely measures to limit excessive play and reduce the risk of gambling-related harm. Failure to do so can lead to enforcement actions, including significant financial penalties.

The €500,000 fine adds to a growing list of sanctions issued by the regulator as it tightens oversight of the licensed market. In recent years, the authority has developed a reputation for close supervision and for using substantial fines to reinforce consumer protection standards.

Top Poker casinos

up to

£30

Overall Rating

92

Visit Casino Read Review

100% up to

₹15000

Overall Rating

91

Visit Casino Read Review

100% up to

€100

+ 50 Free Spins

Overall Rating

88

Visit Casino Read Review

LeoVegas, which is owned by MGM Resorts International, has stated that it does not accept the regulator’s conclusions and is continuing to contest the penalty. The appeal process remains ongoing.

In a statement, a company spokesperson said: “LeoVegas Group takes responsible gaming and our Duty of Care obligations very seriously. While we fully respect the regulatory framework in the Netherlands and always seek to work closely with our regulators, we disagree with the KSA’s findings and the fine remains under appeal. Since the KSA initiated the review, we have continued to develop and enhance our responsible gaming processes, which remain subject to ongoing evaluation and development.”

The enforcement action comes at a challenging time for the Dutch online gambling market. Operators have faced higher gambling taxes and uncertainty surrounding proposed changes to the Remote Gaming Act. Against this backdrop, regulators have made clear that duty of care compliance will remain a priority area.

The regulator has indicated that enhanced supervision of player protection measures will continue through at least 2026. For licensed operators, the LeoVegas case serves as a clear signal that shortcomings in monitoring and intervention practices can result in serious financial and regulatory consequences.

Source:

““, lcb.org, December 27 2025