AGOG and Kansspelautoriteit reveal early gambling onset, widespread harm, and operator intervention failures
Alarming Trends: Gambling Begins Before 24 for 81% of Respondents
A joint survey by the Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) and national support group AGOG has cast a stark light on gambling behaviours among Dutch problem gamblers, revealing early onset, deep personal losses, and insufficient operator interventions. The study, conducted with 139 participants—most of whom attended AGOG self-help sessions in late 2024—sheds new light on how regulatory and operator safeguards are failing those most at risk.
The data shows that 81% of participants began gambling before the age of 24, and nearly half (46%) started before 18—a period before legal gambling access is permitted. While physical venues were once the typical starting point, the trend has shifted sharply toward online platforms, which are now the dominant gateway for new gamblers.
Problematic Patterns and Personal Cost
The study paints a worrying picture of gambling addiction. Nearly all respondents reported symptoms of problem gambling, including:
Chasing losses
Increasing betting stakes
Gambling daily
Using multiple websites simultaneously
This last point is particularly concerning, as it highlights the need for unified, cross-platform player protection mechanisms, which are largely absent in the current fragmented regulatory landscape.
The financial damage is profound: over 50% of respondents admitted to losses exceeding €50,000, with additional fallout in their mental health, social lives, and employment. These figures underscore the significant personal and societal toll of unchecked gambling behaviours.
Operators Failing to Intervene
Despite the Netherlands’ mandatory duty-of-care framework, the survey revealed that 68% of respondents were never contacted by operators, even after displaying warning signs. Worse still, 83% said they were never excluded or blocked from playing, voluntarily or otherwise.
These statistics call into question the efficacy of current responsible gambling protocols, especially given that the vast majority of respondents engaged with multiple platforms, both legal and illegal.
Regulatory Response: A Wake-Up Call for Policy Reform
The Kansspelautoriteit has responded by pledging tighter supervision and promising to push for stronger, evidence-based consumer protection policies. This includes:
Enforcing cross-operator deposit and time limits
Expanding data-sharing between platforms
Promoting earlier, proactive interventions
Improving public education on gambling risks
The survey will serve as a foundational dataset in the regulator’s future actions and could influence amendments to the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) or future compliance benchmarks for licensees.
Outlook: Turning Data into Action
This new research aligns with broader European concerns around youth exposure, the growth of online gambling, and operator responsibility. It supports calls for a more holistic, multi-stakeholder approach to gambling harm prevention—one that includes not only operators and regulators but also mental health professionals, educators, and community organizations.
As the Netherlands’ online gambling sector matures, the question remains: Will policymakers act fast enough to close the gaps revealed by this survey—or will the harm continue to mount?
