Swedish entrepreneur files SEK10m lawsuit against Kindred Group
Self-confessed gambling addict Per Holknekt claims his excessive play was encouraged as he racked up SEK25.5m in losses
Swedish entrepreneur and fashion designer Per Holknekt is suing Unibet’s parent companies, Kindred Group and Spooniker Ltd, for damages to the tune of SEK10,252,409 (£824,099).
The 62-year-old, who admits he is a gambling addict, states that he was able to deposit up to SEK1m per month with Unibet and claims to have staked SEK55m in total, resulting in losses amounting to SEK25.5m.
Having revealed on the podcast Nemo meets a friend in 2020 that he was to take on Kindred-owned Unibet and its parent company in Sweden, Spooniker, the long process of putting together the case has reached a 25-page lawsuit sent to the Stockholm District Court on 25 June.
He said on the podcast: “When I see a fight, I stand up for the little guy and take on the big one.
“The big guy should not get away with things just because he’s big. It is never wrong to do the right thing and I have now chosen to fight a large gambling company,” he added.
The rationale behind the lawsuit is that Holknekt, who appeared on the first season of Sweden’s version of Big Brother, alleges that his addiction was encouraged by Unibet which did not step in when it should have been apparent that the customer was gambling to excess.
The lawsuit states: “The gambling company has deliberately ignored the player’s gambling addiction and through constant incentives worsened his financial situation.”
Holknekt added: “I was seduced into a viciously dependent position towards the gambling companies. It got out of hand. Their cunning techniques drained me of my last penny when I was addicted.”
As well as drawing attention to the gambling companies, the former professional skateboarder and co-founder of Odd Molly fashion brand said that questions should be asked of those “that invest in these gaming companies, which end up at the bottom of the list of sustainable companies every year”.
Kindred Group has said it is aware of the case but declined to comment.
Last week, the Stockholm-listed operator blamed tough comparatives and a its absence from the Netherlands for a 34% fall in revenue in Q2.