On July 1, a trial commenced in the Netherlands against Cornelis van Z., whom the prosecution believes to be the owner of the illegal online casino Edobet, according to CasinoNieuws citing AD.
The prosecution claims that the now-closed Edobet brand targeted the Dutch market without a local license, operating solely with a Curaçao license and a bank account in Malta. Meanwhile, the defense argues that the primary audience of the casino was players from outside the country, predominantly in Turkey.
The investigation also links Edobet to convicted drug criminal Piet S. and his son Freddy S., who previously received an 8-year sentence for involvement in casino activities.
According to AD, former professional football players are also involved in the case. Ex-Netherlands national team player Dirk Kuyt admitted during questioning in 2021 that he played on Edobet, but disputed the amounts mentioned in wiretaps. Another former national player, Wesley Sneijder, denied playing on the site as a witness, a claim confirmed by Freddy S.
The case materials reveal that former defenders of Dutch clubs Tom Böggelsdijk and Aron Meijers invested in Edobet, while ex-national team player David Mendes da Silva, according to the owner of a Rotterdam tea house, connected him with a representative of the brand.