Recent studies from the Scientific Research and Data Centre (WODC) in the Netherlands reveal that while 64% of Dutch adults engaged in offline gambling in 2024, only 10% participated in online betting. However, online gambling is gaining popularity, particularly among younger demographics. The studies show that sports betting is the only vertical where online engagement exceeds offline, highlighting a shift in player preferences. Amidst this growth, the WODC has expressed concern over inadequate measures to prevent gambling addiction, especially for at-risk youth. The findings have prompted recommendations to strengthen regulatory oversight and improve player protection.

Gambling Trends in the Netherlands: Key Statistics

According to the WODC, gambling remains a prevalent activity in the Netherlands, though it is largely dominated by offline participation.

Key Data Points:

64% of Dutch citizens aged 16 and over engaged in offline gambling in 2024.
Only 10% of the same age group reported gambling online within the last 12 months.
Lotteries led as the most popular form of gambling, with 55% of participants engaging in this vertical.
Other notable offline activities included scratchcards (21%) and bingo (7%).
Interestingly, sports betting was the only segment where online gambling outpaced offline participation, with 4% of Dutch adults betting online compared to 3% offline. This trend reflects a growing preference among younger audiences for digital platforms.

Rise in Online Gambling: Younger Audiences at Risk

Since the Netherlands' regulated online gambling market went live in October 2021, online participation has surged. The WODC found that 70% of those who gambled online in 2024 had started after the market's launch. However, this rise in online betting is particularly concentrated among younger people, raising concerns about addiction risks.

Key Findings:

Only 1% of all Dutch gamblers (including lottery participants) were classified as high risk.
Among young adult online gamblers with personal accounts, this number surged to 18%.
In total, 11% of online gamblers with personal accounts were categorized as high risk, while 10% were deemed moderate risk on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).
The findings underscore how young online gamblers are more vulnerable to problematic behaviors, which may be exacerbated by current player-driven responsibility measures.

Challenges in Current Regulatory Framework

The WODC has criticized the Dutch gambling regulatory environment, stating that current measures to prevent addiction are inadequate given the rise in new players. The responsibility for monitoring gambling behavior is largely placed on the players themselves, which can be ineffective, particularly for high-risk groups.

Current Measures and Issues:

Only 24% of online gamblers were informed about their behavior through on-screen pop-ups in 2024.
Just 9% received notifications via chat or email, indicating limited interaction between operators and players.
Self-exclusion remains underutilized:
4% of gamblers temporarily excluded themselves.
Only 3% registered for involuntary bans.
Awareness of Cruks, the Netherlands' national self-exclusion system, remains low among problem gamblers.
These statistics suggest that player protection tools are under-promoted and underutilized, leaving at-risk gamblers without adequate support.

WODC Recommendations to Strengthen Gambling Regulations

In response to the findings, the WODC has proposed five urgent recommendations to enhance regulatory oversight and addiction prevention measures.

1. Centralize the Duty of Care:
The responsibility for player protection should not rest solely with operators. The WODC recommends that this duty be overseen by a central authority to ensure uniform standards across the industry.

2. Facilitate Independent Research:
Player data should be made accessible to independent researchers to better understand gambling behaviors and refine addiction prevention strategies.

3. Expand the Regulator’s Powers:
The WODC urges the Dutch gambling regulator, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), to be granted greater authority. Enhanced regulatory powers would enable more stringent oversight of licensed operators and better enforcement of compliance measures.

4. Combat the Illegal Market:
More restrictions and enforcement actions are needed to curb unlicensed operators, whose lack of compliance with responsible gambling measures poses a serious risk to players.

5. Improve Awareness of Self-Exclusion Tools:
Education campaigns should raise awareness of self-exclusion programs like Cruks, ensuring that problem gamblers are informed about available resources to manage their behavior.

These measures are aimed at striking a balance between market growth and player protection, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Comparisons with Other Markets

The situation in the Netherlands mirrors concerns raised in other regulated markets, such as the UK and Australia, where younger gamblers are also at higher risk of addiction due to easy access to online platforms. However, jurisdictions like Sweden have taken proactive steps by imposing stricter limits on online gambling ads and mandatory spending caps for players.

Online Casino Growth Potential

The WODC’s findings highlight a critical juncture for Dutch gambling regulations. As online gambling continues to attract younger audiences, the risk of addiction rises alongside increased market participation. Strengthening regulatory oversight, improving awareness of self-exclusion tools, and enhancing research capabilities are essential steps to mitigate these risks. With its recommendations, the WODC aims to foster a safer gambling environment that balances growth with player protection, ensuring that new entrants to the market can engage responsibly.