WILLEMSTAD - A Dutch gambling addict has filed for the bankruptcy of the Curaçaoan master license holder Gaming Services Provider (GSP) at the court in Curaçao. The man lost nearly €800,000 at an online casino operating under a sublicense from GSP, alleging exploitation of his gambling addiction. Despite multiple attempts to recover his money, neither the casino nor GSP responded to his requests.
The Dutch individual is in dispute with GSP over a lost amount of $847,791 (€785,514) at the crypto casino MegaDice, which operates under a sublicense from GSP. A previous court ruling stated that master license holders are liable for misconduct by their sublicense holders.
The gambler, who had registered in the Dutch exclusion register Cruks, found the casino MegaDice via Google, where he could gamble despite his registration. Within a few months, he lost substantial amounts, paid with cryptocurrency. After losing all his money, he contacted the casino, claiming they had taken advantage of his addiction.
His lawyer, Roelof Bijkerk of LMS Advocaten in Curaçao, unsuccessfully attempted to recover the lost money from MegaDice and GSP. With no response to their claims, they decided to file for the bankruptcy of GSP. This application includes other unpaid claims against GSP.
Roelof Bijkerk criticizes GSP for ignoring claims and facilitating shady online casinos. He deems GSP's actions "a disgrace to Curaçao's financial sector." Despite a bankruptcy application against the parent company of 1xBet in 2021, which was granted by the Curaçaoan court, online casinos like 1xBet remain operational.
Bijkerk represents several gambling-addicted Dutch individuals in cases against online casinos with a sublicense from GSP, including LalaBet and Justbit. These casinos are known for anonymous gambling without verification, targeting Dutch players, despite the absence of a Dutch gambling license.
According to Bijkerk, the Dutch gambler's bankruptcy application against GSP could put a stop to fraudulent parties like GSP and prevent further exploitation of addicted players.