LeoVegas Fined for Player Care Failures by Dutch Authorities

The Dutch gambling authority has levied a substantial fine of €500,000 against LeoVegas, citing repeated lapses in meeting obligatory duty of care standards. This decision was the culmination of an in-depth assessment into the company's player protection protocols, spanning from October 2023 to May 2024. The findings underscore an ongoing trend of rigorous enforcement aimed at safeguarding consumers within the Netherlands' regulated gaming market. Throughout the inquiry, the authority scrutinized multiple customer records provided by LeoVegas. The investigation revealed systemic inadequacies in how the operator detected and managed signs of gambling-related harm. In each instance reviewed, the regulator noted a pronounced lack of effective intervention strategies on the part of LeoVegas. In the Netherland’s regulated gambling landscape, operators are mandated to proactively implement measures to limit the risks of excessive betting and its associated dangers. As stated by the regulator, "as far as we are concerned, LeoVegas did not comply sufficiently with that duty of care." These findings serve to highlight the company's failures in executing their mandated responsibilities under Dutch law.

Key Failures Highlighted in Regulator's Review

A particularly concerning case involved a LeoVegas customer who experienced significant financial losses, reaching "tens of thousands of euros" swiftly, without the company initiating timely intervention despite glaring warning indicators. Furthermore, another player's file showed "serious" markers of potential gambling harm, yet the only measure taken by LeoVegas was a dismissible pop-up message, which fell short of effective protection. Michel Groothuizen, Chairman of the regulatory board, emphasized the gravity of these shortcomings. He remarked that these oversight issues are crucial, stating that "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." The imposition of this fine signals the regulator's commitment to enforcing compliance among licensed operators to prevent excessive gambling and related consumer harm. The authority's stance affirms that these duty of care responsibilities are more than mere formalities but are pivotal to a licensed operator's obligations.

Ongoing Dispute and Industry Impact

LeoVegas, which is part of MGM Resorts International, has challenged the regulator’s conclusions and is actively contesting the fine. The appeal remains in process, with the company asserting its commitment to responsible gaming measures. A representative from LeoVegas stated, "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." This case comes at a challenging time for the Dutch iGaming market, which is undergoing tax increases and potential amendments to the Remote Gaming Act. Regulatory bodies have indicated that maintaining stringent oversight on duty of care compliance will remain a priority, extending their watchful vigilance into the year 2026. Source: "LeoVegas Penalized by Regulator Over Player Care Breaches", news.worldcasinodirectory.com. December 24, 2025.] Source: “LeoVegas Penalized by Regulator Over Player Care Breaches”, news.worldcasinodirectory.com. December 24, 2025] By GamesAndCasino