In a newly written blog, chairman of the Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA), Michel Groothuizen, has proposed automatically adding people under court-appointed financial administration or legal curatorship to the country's CRUKS self-exclusion register. In his opinion, this would better protect the country’s most vulnerable consumers.
In the blog post, Groothuizen said individuals who are already subject to legal financial protections should also be protected from gambling-related risks. He suggested linking the Central Guardianship and Administration Register directly to CRUKS.
In his words, it would ensure that anyone under financial administration or guardianship is automatically barred from licensed gambling operators for the duration of their protective order.
Seeking Expanded CRUKS Coverage
Currently, approximately 250,000 people in the Netherlands are under protective financial administration, while a further 25,000 are under legal guardianship. The CCBR includes people placed under these measures as they are unable to manage their personal or financial affairs, including dealing with problematic debt, addiction or other vulnerabilities.
“These people are especially vulnerable to gambling, which has a high addiction factor and large expenses. There should be a simple proposal to automatically include those registered in the CCBR in CRUKS for the duration that they are under protection or guardianship, ” Groothuizen wrote in the blog.
He added that directly connecting the two systems would provide optimal protection to an extremely vulnerable group, and even compared it to alcohol addiction.
Gambling Poses Unique Financial and Addiction Risks
Groothuizen's proposal formed part of a broader reflection on the changing perception of gambling in Dutch society. He argued that while alcohol consumption has become less socially acceptable over recent decades, gambling has moved in the opposite direction, particularly since the rise of smartphones and online casinos.
Although many consumers gamble responsibly, he said, addiction is always a risk, and the ease of accessing gambling products has significantly lowered the barriers to participation. And unlike alcohol, gambling can also cause substantial financial harm in a short period of time.
The KSA chair noted that licensed casinos are already required to monitor consumers’ financial capacity as part of their duty of care and anti-money laundering obligations. However, he said these safeguards do not eliminate the risks for particularly vulnerable groups.
“Gambling is not an ordinary product. It can cause major financial, social and health problems, not only for gamblers themselves but also for the people around them,” Groothuizen said.
Support for Longer CRUKS Exclusions
The proposal comes as Dutch policymakers consider further reforms to the CRUKS exclusion system. Around 120,000 people are currently registered with the programme, which allows consumers to voluntarily take a break from gambling with all licensed gambling providers in the Netherlands, both in person and online.
Once registered, individuals cannot remove themselves from the system for six months. Groothuizen endorsed plans by the state secretary to extend the minimum exclusion period to one year, adding that he would personally support an even longer mandatory period.
CRUKS also allows involuntary registrations following requests from licensed operators, family members or legal representatives where serious gambling-related concerns have been identified. Groothuizen's proposal would add people listed in the CCBR to that category automatically for the duration of their legal protection.
Consumer Protection Must Support Channelisation
Despite advocating stronger safeguards, Groothuizen cautioned against introducing measures that could unintentionally drive consumers towards illegal gambling operators.
He argued that effective regulation should balance robust consumer protection with maintaining an attractive regulated market, ensuring players continue to choose licensed operators over unlicensed alternatives.
“The challenge is to protect vulnerable people while ensuring the legal market remains attractive enough that players do not turn to illegal providers,” he said.
Tax Pressures Fuel Gambling Debates
Groothuizen's comments come as the Dutch gambling sector faces regulatory and financial pressures. A new joint report from the Ministry of Finance and the gambling regulator found that recent gambling tax increases have fallen short of revenue expectations.
It revealed that despite rate rises from 30.5% to 34.2% in January 2025 and to 37.8% in January 2026, tax receipts increased by just €2 million in 2025, well below forecasts of €108 million and €216 million annually from 2026. Revenues for 2026 are now expected to be only €57 million above 2024 levels.
The shortfall was explained by the shrinking taxable gambling market, which offset gains from higher rates. Initially, the tax changes were estimated to generate €83 million in 2025 and €138 million in 2026, but this was stalled by declining activity and lower gross gaming revenue. Land-based operators were hit hardest, with visits down 11% year-on-year in early 2026 and ongoing venue closures.
The report also noted reduced profitability at Holland Casino and Nederlandse Loterij, lowering tax and dividend contributions to the state. Channelisation may have dipped slightly, but officials found no clear evidence that higher taxes alone are driving players to the illegal casino platforms.
