Online gambling laws are boosting addiction among the young
The Netherlands’ 2021 legalization of online gambling aimed to regulate the market and assist those previously gambling on illegal foreign websites. However, recent findings from the government’s research agency, WODC, indicate that this move has inadvertently increased addiction rates, particularly among young adults. Investigations revealed that many licensed online gambling companies are failing in their duty of care; out of 23 companies assessed, 17 directed individuals seeking help to promotional pages instead of providing support, with only two taking measures to block accounts. In response, the government has implemented stricter advertising regulations and introduced a daily spending limit of €350. Despite these efforts, challenges persist, as individuals can circumvent spending caps by creating multiple accounts. Junior Legal Protection Minister Teun Struycken acknowledged the shortcomings in player protection and committed to addressing the issues highlighted in the WODC report by the year’s end.
