The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has unveiled two public-awareness initiatives aimed at prompting early discussions about gambling and facilitating help-seeking among young people.
On Monday, the KSA announced its focus on teenagers, young adults, and the parents or guardians who can identify potential gambling issues. The OpenOverGokken campaign, set to launch in early November, targets parents of those aged 16 to 25. It encourages caregivers to approach the topic of gambling proactively, akin to discussing issues like sex and online safety.
This campaign is supported by OpenOverGokken.nl, a resource portal launched in 2025 that provides independent information and tools for parents to initiate conversations on gambling.
A second initiative, branded under Gambling Stop (Gokstop), aims to reach young adults who are either grappling with gambling problems or at heightened risk. It conveys the message that choosing to stop gambling need not be a reaction to a crisis; individuals can make this decision at any time. The campaign also urges family and friends to recognize signs of potential issues and offer support to those considering the national self-exclusion and support program.
These new strategies mark a shift from the prior Gokstop messaging, which concentrated on life after cessation. Instead, the current campaigns focus on early identification and the availability of support, using relatable situations to encourage individuals to take that first step.
The KSA has identified platforms such as social media, online videos, advertising, and in-game content as prevalent channels through which young people encounter gambling. In response to this context, local politician Meryam Sümer, from the CDA (Christian Democratic Party), has advocated for raising the minimum legal age for online gambling from 18 to 24.
Expected follow-up by the KSA will include data or evaluative findings to measure the effectiveness of the campaigns, looking at shifts in public awareness, engagement with OpenOverGokken.nl, and registration numbers for Gokstop.
This campaign aligns with the KSA's recently released annual and semi-annual reports, which indicated that individuals aged 18-23 comprised approximately 22% of legal gambling accounts, despite making up only about 9.2% of the adult population. Furthermore, during the first half of 2026, the average monthly loss for accounts belonging to 18-23-year-olds was €34.
A notable trend indicated by earlier KSA surveys revealed a spike in account registrations coinciding with users' 18th birthdays. In the years 2024-25, 11% of accounts opened by newly 18-year-olds were registered on their actual birthday, and 38% were created within the month following their birthday.
