Dutch Gaming Authority Unveils Research on Youth Gambling Exposure and Behaviours

The Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) has published findings from three recent studies into the gambling behaviours of minors and young adults in the Netherlands. These investigations confirm that gambling exposure occurs at a young age, often through family and social circles, and that the normalisation of gambling may be making it easier for young people to transition into online gambling once they turn eighteen. The KSA plans to use these insights to shape additional measures for youth protection.

KSA Research Focused on Youth Gambling

The KSA commissioned and analysed three pieces of research: one examining the behaviour of 18- to 24-year-olds within three months of opening an account with a legal provider, a second qualitative study by Youngworks into the pathway from first contact with gambling to active participation, and a third on gambling behaviour among MBO students (vocational education).

The studies reveal that gambling is highly normalised in Dutch society. Young people commonly encounter gambling before reaching adulthood. Exposure routes include parents gifting scratch cards, older peers sharing online accounts, or group social gambling activities like poker or sports betting. These interactions are seen as benign within the peer group, often presenting gambling as a shared experience rather than an isolated activity.

Gambling Trends Among 18- to 24-Year-Olds

Account Creation Patterns and Preferences

In the demographic aged 18 to 24, 41% of new gambling accounts are registered by eighteen-year-olds, typically soon after their legal birthday. Despite this early access, this youngest cohort places the lowest average wagers of the surveyed age bracket.

Previous regulatory reports indicated that sports betting often acts as a first step to using other gambling products. However, the current research contradicts this: most young adults begin with online casino games rather than sports betting, a noteworthy change in player behaviour for licensed Dutch operators.

Social and Early Exposure Among Minors

A major insight from the study by Youngworks is the social context in which gambling is introduced to minors. Children and teenagers are most likely to encounter gambling in group settings, frequently involving family or friends. Legal gambling products, although restricted to adults, reach minors indirectly—for example, through parents purchasing scratch-off tickets or shared online accounts. At this stage, the risk is often underestimated because gambling is experienced collectively.

The research does point to some awareness among minors. Many young people recognise that solitary gambling and participation with illegal providers are warning signs of problematic behaviour, suggesting some baseline of risk identification among this group.

Gambling Among MBO Students: Key Figures

A third research focus was gambling behaviour among students in secondary vocational education (MBO). Of these students, 68% report never gambling, but 28% of minors in the group stated they had gambled within the past year. The most frequently cited activities were scratch cards, bingo, and slot machines—mainly physical, not digital, options.

This physical exposure correlates with findings that young people typically encounter legal gambling products offline. For many, these experiences are embedded in their social setting, which may explain why the associated risks are sometimes downplayed.

Looking Forward: KSA’s Regulatory Response and Next Steps

The Dutch Gaming Authority intends to use these research findings as new tools for policy and regulatory development. Immediate focus areas include continued work with the Ministry and alignment with the multi-year Protection against Gambling Harm programme. The objective is to identify and implement measures to limit minors' access to gambling products and strengthen overall youth protection in the Dutch market.

"The results provide new tools for protecting young people," the KSA remarked in its statement regarding the studies' implications.

Ongoing dialogue between the KSA and government stakeholders will determine the specifics of additional interventions needed. Regulatory affairs teams and casino operators should monitor the evolving compliance landscape, as further controls or educational initiatives are likely in the near future.