The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has published three detailed studies highlighting a growing trend of normalized gambling among minors and young adults in the Netherlands, particularly before they reach the legal gambling age of 18. The findings indicate a significant increase in account registrations when these individuals turn 18, alongside varying gambling behaviors according to age.
A deep dive into new account registrations between May 1 and May 7, 2025, showed a total of 15,761 new gambling accounts funded. Young adults aged 18 to 24 represented 33% of these new accounts; notably, 41% were opened by those who had just turned 18.
There was a marked spike in registrations on or just after an individual’s 18th birthday. During the 2024-25 period, 11% of accounts opened by 18-year-olds were registered on their birthday, while 38% were created within a month thereafter.
Contrary to the assumption that sports betting is leading the charge, 72% of young adult accounts kicked off with casino games. Only 11% started with sports betting. The report found that these young adults typically engaged in four gambling days per month, with their average daily stake significantly lower than that of older adults (€111 compared to €209). Among this demographic, 18-year-olds were noted to gamble more frequently but at lower stakes than those aged 19 to 24. Interestingly, accounts that began with casino-only or sports-only products showed stability in usage during the following month, while dual-product accounts often shifted towards casino-only options.
One research project, titled "Kansspelreis < 18 jaar in beeld," conducted by Youngworks and commissioned by ZonMw, utilized qualitative methods to survey 50 individuals aged 16 to 21. This study revealed that initial exposure to gambling typically occurs between ages 8 and 12, largely through familial activities like holiday scratchcards, lotteries, and casual betting games conducted at home. Most respondents, however, didn’t recognize these early encounters as gambling at the time.
By the ages of 12 to 14, independent gambling begins, often in social contexts such as group betting, poker, and football-related betting pools. This socialization process contributed to a significant normalization of gambling as a behavior. Minors often bypass age restrictions by sharing online gambling accounts belonging to older friends or family members, transferring money via mobile payment apps like Tikkie.
Prominent online gambling platforms such as TOTO, Bet365, BetCity, and Unibet were frequently mentioned, alongside the pervasive presence of gambling advertisements across platforms like TikTok, sports broadcasts, and outdoor settings, which targeted young audiences. In June, the cabinet proposed a near-total ban on online gambling advertisements, allowing only a few specific exemptions.
Van Bruggen expressed concern over the increasing number of young people gambling online and facing consequential issues. He emphasized the urgency in reversing this trend. Participants highlighted their surprise at seeing state lottery advertisements on media channels aimed at younger demographics.
The second study examined survey data from 29,724 MBO students (a type of vocational education in the Netherlands) aged 15 to 24 over the period from 2024 to 2026. Among these individuals, around 32% acknowledged gambling in the past year, which included 28% of minors (ages 15-17) and 39% of adults (18 and older).
The frequency of gambling was typically low, with “once or a few times a year” being the most common response (74% of minors, 61% of adults). Nevertheless, 10% admitted to gambling monthly or more. Minors primarily engaged with physical gambling products, with 46% opting for scratchcards, 34% for bingo, and 28% for slot machines; those over 18 showed a preference for casino games (46%), scratchcards (35%), and sports betting (32%). Many minors gambled exclusively in physical locations, while young adults increasingly utilized both physical and online channels.
About half of the minors and two-thirds of adult gamblers participated in high-risk products, with approximately 2% exhibiting signs of gambling-related harm, particularly correlated with online gambling engagement and multi-product usage. Among non-gamblers, 90% did not express any intention to gamble, though males reported higher inclinations to start.
In light of these findings, local politician Meryam Sümer from the CDA (Christian Democratic Party) has called for increasing the minimum age for online gambling from 18 to 24, citing a recent report that indicated one in five young people in Enschede is currently in debt. She argued that reducing temptations is crucial and supports stricter regulations to protect youth from potential debt and gambling-related issues. However, this proposal sparked debate, with the KSA’s chairman cautioning against such measures, arguing that it might push young people towards illegal gambling markets. He noted that minors are already engaging in these platforms and that making legal access harder could inadvertently increase their risk exposure online.
Kathryn Evans covers concise breaking news, primarily focusing on legislation in the EMEA region and the US. A native of North Wales, she is a fluent Welsh speaker and a long-time fan of Wrexham FC, predating Hollywood’s interest in the club.
