On Thursday, KSA and public health research body ZonMw announced the new “Gambling Addiction Prevention Program,” which will run from 2025 to 2030. The initiative will focus on knowledge-building, enforcement, and infrastructure.
New Initiative to Tackle Gambling Harm
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) has unveiled a €21 million plan aimed at preventing gambling addiction, pledging stronger measures in prevention and treatment. The move comes as industry experts warn that overly strict regulations are driving Dutch players to the black market, with nearly half of all online gambling revenue flowing outside the legal framework.
On Thursday, KSA and public health research body ZonMw announced the new “Gambling Addiction Prevention Program,” which will run from 2025 to 2030. The initiative will focus on knowledge-building, enforcement, and infrastructure.
“Player protection is a top priority for KSA,” said KSA chair Michel Groothuizen. “By continuing this program, we aim to gather the knowledge needed to prevent gambling harm as much as possible.”
The program will be financed by the Addiction Prevention Fund, which is funded through operator levies. It will support independent research on risk factors, early detection, interventions, and treatment. ZonMw will also study best practices from other mental health fields.
“This dedicated program on gambling addiction is vital,” said Véronique Timmerhuis, director of ZonMw. “We need to build a solid base of knowledge to develop effective methods and ensure they work in practice.”
The plan is structured around five “work packages”: vulnerable players and gambling behavior; prediction, risk factors and early prevention; diagnosis and treatment; lived experiences and social involvement; and a broad knowledge infrastructure. ZonMw will open the first grant round this year, funding three long-term research alliances.
Addiction Rising Since Legalization
KSA stressed that the initiative comes amid rising gambling-related harm since the legalization of online betting in 2021. ZonMw noted that addiction is often linked with depression, substance abuse, suicidal tendencies, and severe financial and social problems.
Critics Warn of Black Market Surge
Yet as the government invests in prevention, critics argue the broader regulatory framework is failing. At a conference hosted by the Swedish online gambling association earlier this year, Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA) founder Peter-Paul de Goeij described the situation as “a Dutch disaster.”
According to official figures, only 49% of online gambling revenue goes through licensed operators, leaving the majority in unregulated channels. Pontus Lindwall, CEO of Betsson, echoed this concern: “Regulation is supposed to protect consumers. If half of them are outside the system, that’s a failure.”
De Goeij blamed deposit limits for driving players away. Current rules cap monthly deposits at €350 (or €150 for young adults), with additional income proof required for amounts above €700.
He also criticized mounting tax pressure, with gambling tax set to rise to nearly 38% in 2025. State-owned Holland Casino recently reported a €10.4 million loss, citing high taxes and restrictive measures. “Auditors are warning that Holland Casino’s future is at serious risk,” de Goeij said.
Balancing Act for Regulators
The prevention plan highlights the government’s commitment to addressing gambling harm through research and healthcare expertise. However, industry leaders caution that without a sustainable and competitive regulated market, such efforts risk being undermined by a growing black market.
