The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has unveiled three studies highlighting a concerning trend: gambling is increasingly normalized among minors and young adults in the Netherlands, often before they reach the legal age of 18.
A particular phenomenon emerged during their analysis of account registrations between May 1 and 7, 2025. The KSA control database recorded 15,761 freshly funded gambling accounts, revealing that young adults aged 18 to 24 made up 33% of these new accounts. Even more telling, 41% of those accounts were activated by individuals who had just turned 18.
The data revealed a substantial spike in account openings right on or shortly after individuals' 18th birthdays. During the 2024-25 period, 11% of accounts created by 18-year-olds were registered on their birthday and 38% within the following month. Contrary to expectations that sports betting would dominate, a striking 72% of young adult accounts began with casino games, while just 11% started with sports betting.
In their first quarter, young adults averaged four gambling days each month, placing lower median daily stakes compared to their older counterparts (€111 versus €209). Even within this age group, those who just turned 18 tended to gamble more often but with lower stakes than those aged 19 to 24. Accounts initially focusing on either casino or sports betting maintained their activity in the second month. However, those that utilized both products frequently transitioned to casino-only accounts.
Another study, titled Kansspelreis < 18 jaar in beeld, carried out by Youngworks and funded by ZonMw, utilized qualitative methods with 50 participants aged 16 to 21. The findings indicated that most individuals first encountered gambling between the ages of 8 and 12, often through family activities like Christmas lottery tickets, home betting games, and scratchcards. Many participants did not recognize these activities as gambling during their childhood.
Between ages 12 and 14, independent gambling typically begins, falling mostly within social contexts, where group activities include betting among friends and participation in poker games or football-related betting pools. This social atmosphere significantly contributed to normalizing such behavior. Many minors even bypass age restrictions by sharing online gambling accounts managed by older friends or relatives, often pooling funds via mobile payment apps like Tikkie. Popular platforms identified included TOTO, Bet365, BetCity, and Unibet, alongside many gambling advertisements seen on TikTok, during sports events, and in other youth-targeted venues. In response, the cabinet put forward in June a proposal for a near-total ban on online gambling advertising, save for specific exceptions.
Dutch Cabinet member Van Bruggen expressed concern over the rise in online gambling among youth and the resultant issues, stating, "I find it particularly concerning that more and more people, and especially young people, have started gambling online and are getting into trouble as a result. It is high time to reverse this trend." Participants in studies shared their shock at the visibility of state lotteries advertising within youth media.
Another analysis focused on 29,724 MBO students aged 15 to 24 during 2024-26. About 32% of these participants admitted to having gambled in the past year, including 28% of minors and 39% of adults.
The majority of students reported infrequent gambling, with 74% of minors and 61% of adults gambling only once or a few times a year; however, 10% indicated they gamble monthly or more. Among minors, physical gambling activities were more common, including scratchcards (46%), bingo (34%), and slot machines (28%). In contrast, 18+ students preferred casino games (46%), scratchcards (35%), and sports betting (32%). Nearly half of minors gambled exclusively through physical venues, while young adults increasingly combined both physical and online gambling channels.
Approximately half of the minors and two-thirds of adults engaged with high-risk gambling products. Roughly 2% exhibited signs of gambling-related harm, which correlates with online participation and the use of multiple product types. Among non-gamblers, 90% expressed no intent to begin gambling, but males showed a greater desire to start.
In light of this data, local politician Meryam Sümer of the CDA (Christian Democratic Party) has advocated for raising the minimum age for online gambling from 18 to 24, following revelations that one in five young individuals in Enschede is in debt. "The key is to reduce temptations," she stated, pushing for stricter regulations to protect youth from exposures that may lead to compulsive gambling or financial troubles.
However, this call for change has sparked debate. The KSA's chairperson cautioned against such revisions, warning that it may push young adults toward black market alternatives. "We already observe minors engaging with these avenues. For those under 21, access to illegal options remains just a few clicks away, while they will be barred from legal platforms that must comply with strict care regulations," he noted in a blog post from February 2025.
