The Netherlands is seeing a concerning rise in gambling addiction, with data from the national addiction database LADIS showing a 15.3% increase in people seeking help in 2023 compared to the previous year. Of particular concern is the fact that approximately 17% of those seeking help are under the age of 25.
In response to this issue, Teun Struycken, the Junior Minister of Legal Protections, has implemented several measures to protect young players. These measures include deposit limits for players aged 18 to 24 starting in October, a ban on influencer marketing, and stricter regulations on gambling ads on TV, radio, and public billboards.
Despite these measures, changes in advertising rules in July 2023 have allowed targeted ads on the internet, social media, and gambling sites. However, operators are required to ensure that only 5% of these ads reach players under 25. Struycken also highlighted the Trimbo addiction research facility in Utrecht, which plans to establish a specialist gambling addiction center to provide treatment and prevention measures.
While some parliament members have called for a full ban on online gambling advertising, Struycken has not expressed support for such a ban. The KSA chairman Michael Groothuizen has also stated that the regulator does not intend to support a total ban on gambling ads, as operators should be able to present themselves to players.
An investigation by De Groene Amsterdammer found that Holland Casino, a government-owned company, has been targeting young adults with advertisements on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Despite these missteps, Struycken emphasized that Holland Casino has a responsibility to protect its players and has taken measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Overall, the Dutch government is taking steps to address the rising issue of gambling addiction, particularly among young people. While measures are in place to protect vulnerable groups, ongoing efforts are needed to ensure that players, especially those under 25, are not exploited by the gambling industry.