The Dutch Gambling Authority, also known as Kansspelautoriteit, and Anonymous Gamblers Around Gamblers have released the results of a gambling survey. It dates back to late 2024 and included members of AGOG self-help groups. The survey looked at how people gamble, what happens when they do, and what isn't working with current intervention efforts.
The survey, filled out by 139 people (70% of those at the conference), provides us with valuable information about the experiences of problem gamblers in the Netherlands. This group doesn't entirely represent all people in the country who have gambling problems, as many don't ask for help, but the data does show some worrying patterns.
iGaming Starts at an Early Age
Most of the people who answered started gambling when they were young. 81% started before they turned 24, and almost half (46%) started before they turned 18. There was a big shift towards online gambling, especially among people who started in the last ten years. In the past, people mostly gambled in person at casinos and gaming halls. Now, online gambling is the most popular way to do so.
A lot of people said they had gambled both legally and illegally. The latter was generally because they didn't have any legal online options in the past, or because they couldn't register for legal platforms because they were already registered with Cruks, the Dutch gambling exclusion system.
An Abundance of Problem Gambling Signs
Most respondents said they had gambling issues, like wanting their money back, betting more, and gambling daily. Notably, three-quarters of them gambled on more than one website at the same time, which shows how important it is to have betting limitations that apply to all providers.
Many Could Face Severe Consequences
Most people who answered said that gambling had a big effect on their finances, social life, and mental health. Half of the people who answered said they had lost more than €50,000, while a quarter said they had lost less than €1,000. This study shows that gambling problems don't always mean losing a lot of money, but they do tend to get worse with time.
It's good to know that more than half of them joined AGOG in the previous two years and have stopped gambling since then. People said they sought help because of challenges in their relationships, their mental health, and their finances. About two-thirds of those who are currently getting help with their addictions are also participating in programs to stop gambling.
Intervention Efforts are Ineffective
Even though gambling providers are required by law to step in when they see indicators of problem gambling, the poll shows that these measures don't always work. A shocking 68% of people who answered said that providers never contacted them directly, and 83% said they never got a ban on entering or playing. Alarmingly, half of the individuals who received these bans simply switched to other providers, indicating that enforcement is ineffective.
Temptation and Advertising Fuel Relapse
Many people still want to go back to gaming. Gambling ads, places where people can gamble in person, and the influence of close friends and family are all big factors. Many people who answered said that making online gambling legal has made it more tempting, without making player protection good enough.
One person who answered said they were frustrated: “I really believe that since gambling became legal, a lot more people do it.” Also, it bothers me that most of the commercials I see are for gambling. “What do we get out of this?”
Regulator Issues Warnings Over Unibet Sponsorship and Autoplay
In other issues, the KSA recently warned Optdeck, the company that runs Unibet in the Netherlands, twice for breaking advertising laws and introducing a banned autoplay option.
Unibet, which sponsors the cycling team Unibet Tietema Rockets, broke the rules on indiscriminate advertising by using a coach bus with its logo on it to transport the team and for other purposes.
The KSA also determined that a third-party supplier accidentally turned on Unibet's BonusBuy feature, which lets players keep playing with bonuses they bought without having to start the game over. Even though the feature was only available for two hours and the players who were harmed were paid back, it is now illegal since it encourages too much gambling.
Optdeck has instructed the cycling team to immediately cease using the bus. All of the team's cars will also have their Unibet branding removed. The gambling regulator stressed that it is the providers' job to make sure that sponsorships follow the rules, especially because sports sponsorship will be banned starting July 1, 2025.
The KSA only issued warnings because it immediately dealt with both offences. However, it cautioned that future violations could lead to harsher penalties.
Looking Forward
The Dutch Gambling Authority wants to use what they learn from these studies to make their oversight stricter and collaborate with providers and legislators to make sure players are safer. Personal interventions, stricter betting restrictions, and focused education will be important parts of helping people recover and reducing harm.
