The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has released a series of studies illuminating a trend in the normalization of gambling among young people in the Netherlands, particularly those under the legal age of 18. The research indicates a notable increase in account registrations as minors reach their 18th birthday, alongside variations in gambling behaviors by age group.
Analyzing account registrations from May 1 to May 7, 2025, the KSA's database identified 15,761 newly funded gambling accounts. Among these, individuals aged 18 to 24 represented 33% of new accounts, with a striking 41% of these accounts linked to newly turned 18-year-olds. The data revealed a significant spike in account openings on or shortly after their 18th birthday: in 2024-25, 11% of accounts were registered on the exact birthday, while 38% were created within that month.
Interestingly, contrary to assumptions that most young adults start their gambling experience with sports betting, 72% began with casino games, with only 11% starting with sports betting. The report also noted that young adults gambled an average of four days per month in their first quarter of gambling, showing a significant difference in median stakes compared to older adults — €111 for young adults, compared to €209 for older individuals. Younger newcomers, particularly those who just turned 18, displayed a higher frequency of gambling but at lower stakes than those aged 19-24. Accounts that started with only casino options remained stable into the second month, while those that included gambling on multiple products often moved to casino-only options.
A separate study, "Kansspelreis < 18 jaar in beeld," conducted by Youngworks under the commission of ZonMw, explored firsthand accounts from 50 young individuals aged 16 to 21. Results showed that many first encountered gambling between the ages of 8 and 12, often through family-related activities like Christmas scratchcards or home betting games. Strikingly, most participants did not consider these early experiences as gambling at that time.
By the ages of 12 to 14, a more independent approach to gambling commenced, predominantly in social settings with friends through poker and football betting pools. This social aspect significantly contributed to the normalization of gambling behavior. The findings revealed that minors often bypass age restrictions by sharing accounts with older friends or family and pooling their funds using apps like Tikkie. Popular gambling platforms mentioned included TOTO, Bet365, BetCity, and Unibet, with frequent advertisements reaching youth audiences through TikTok, sports broadcasts, and outdoor advertising. In response to these trends, the Dutch cabinet in June proposed a near-total ban on online gambling advertising, allowing only limited exceptions.
Meryam Sümer, a local politician from the CDA (Christian Democratic Party), has recently advocated for raising the minimum age for online gambling from 18 to 24, reacting to concerns that one in five young residents in Enschede is currently in debt. She emphasized the need for tighter regulations to reduce exposure to gambling, which can lead to problematic behaviors and debt.
This stance, however, has raised controversy, as the KSA’s chairman cautioned that such changes could push young people toward illegal gambling channels. He noted that minors are already resorting to black market options, and raising the age limit could further drive them away from regulated gambling environments. He stated in a blog from February 2025, “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.”
