The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has unveiled three in-depth studies that highlight a growing trend of gambling among minors and young adults in the Netherlands, occurring well before they reach the legal age of 18.
These studies indicate a notable increase in gambling account registrations as young individuals celebrate their 18th birthdays, showcasing distinct gambling behaviors tied to age.
The data, covering account registrations from May 1 to May 7, 2025, revealed that during this period, 15,761 new gambling accounts were funded. Among these, individuals aged 18-24 made up 33% of the new accounts, with a striking 41% of those accounts being opened by young adults on the day they turned 18. There was a significant spike in these registrations specifically on or shortly after their birthdays; 11% of accounts established by 18-year-olds were created on their birthday, and 38% within the next month.
Interestingly, contrary to common assumptions that sports betting would dominate, the report indicated that 72% of accounts among young adults began with casino games, while just 11% originated from sports betting. In their first quarter of gambling, young adults averaged four gambling days per month, with their median daily stakes lower than those of older adults (€111 compared to €209). Notably, while 18-year-olds gambled more frequently, they did so with smaller stakes than those aged 19-24.
The report also found that accounts focusing exclusively on casino games or sports betting tended to maintain their category in the second month, while those with dual interests often shifted towards casino-only activities.
Another study, titled "Kansspelreis < 18 jaar in beeld," was conducted by Youngworks and commissioned by ZonMw, utilizing qualitative methods with 50 young people aged 16 to 21. It revealed that many young individuals first encountered gambling between the ages of 8 and 12, usually through family activities like Christmas scratchcards, lotteries, or informal games at home. Most participants did not recognize these early activities as gambling.
By ages 12 to 14, independent gambling often emerged, primarily within social contexts involving betting with peers and casual poker games. This environment contributed to a rapidly normalizing attitude towards gambling. The study noted that minors frequently bypass age restrictions by utilizing gambling accounts operated by older friends or family members, pooling money through mobile payment applications like Tikkie. Popular gambling platforms mentioned included TOTO, Bet365, BetCity, and Unibet, with many young people also encountering gambling advertisements on platforms like TikTok, in sports broadcasts, and in public spaces.
In response to increasing concerns about youth gambling, the Dutch cabinet proposed a near-total ban on online gambling advertising, with only sparse exceptions. Van Bruggen expressed concern about the escalating online gambling among young people, 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."
A second study examined survey data from 29,724 MBO students, aged 15 to 24, during 2024-26. Of these participants, around 32% reported having gambled in the past year, comprising 28% of minors and 39% of adults. Most students gambled infrequently, with 74% of minors and 61% of adults gambling only once or a few times a year, while 10% engaged in gambling monthly or more frequently.
Minors tended to engage with physical gambling products, such as scratchcards (46%), bingo (34%), and slot machines (28%), while students over 18 preferred casino games (46%) and scratchcards (35%). Nearly half of the minors placed their bets solely through physical venues, while a substantial number of young adults utilized both physical and online platforms.
Around half of the minors and two-thirds of adult gamblers were found to partake in high-risk gambling products, which include casino games, sports betting, and slot machines. About 2% of those studied exhibited signs of gambling-related harm, often linked to online betting and the use of multiple gambling products. Among those who did not gamble, 90% expressed no intent to start, although a higher proportion of males showed a willingness to do so.
Local politician Meryam Sümer of the CDA (Christian Democratic Party) recently advocated for raising the minimum age for online gambling from 18 to 24, in light of findings indicating that one in five young people in Enschede are currently in debt. "The key is to reduce temptations," she asserted, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations to protect youth from potential problem gambling and associated debt.
However, this proposal has sparked controversy. The KSA’s chairman cautioned against raising the minimum age, warning that it may inadvertently drive young people toward illegal gambling avenues. In a February 2025 blog, he noted, "We already see minors doing so. And for young people under 21, the illegal supply will still be accessible with a few mouse clicks, while they will no longer be able to enter legal parties, which must adhere to a strict duty of care."
