The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has reported a noticeable uptick in gambling activity among young people when they turn 18. According to their findings, 11% of new gambling accounts created by 18-year-olds were opened on their birthdays, igniting discussions about the adequacy of gambling protections for young adults.
In an analysis of 15,761 newly funded gambling accounts, the KSA found that individuals aged 18 to 24 accounted for 33% of all new accounts. Notably, among these new users, 41% created their accounts at the age of 18, while 38% registered within one month of turning 18.
Casino games emerged as the preferred choice for these young players, with 72% selecting this form of entertainment. In contrast, only 11% participated in sports betting. Data revealed that young adults engaged in gambling for an average of four days during their initial quarter of participation, wagering an average of €111 each time.
The KSA's research also suggested that many individuals are exposed to gambling well before they reach legal age. A separate study involving 50 participants aged 16 to 21 found that initial exposure often happens between the ages of 8 and 12, primarily through scratch cards, lotteries, and informal family bets.
By the ages of 12 to 14, gambling typically became a social activity, frequently occurring with friends or through football pools. One participant noted that underage individuals often utilize accounts belonging to older relatives to bypass age restrictions.
These findings arise alongside proposals to increase the legal gambling age in the Netherlands from 18 to 24 years. Meryam Sümer, a member of the Christian Democratic Party, has lent her support to this initiative, while the KSA has cautioned that raising age limits could drive young adults toward unregulated gambling sites.
