Summary
- The Dutch gambling regulator has released its most recent evaluation of the gambling industry in the Netherlands.
- During the six-month survey period, 1.19 million active player accounts were used at least once per month.
- Illegal gambling in the Netherlands could represent up to 50% of the country's total gambling expenditures.
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has released a new report on its official website, evaluating the latest consumer protection measures recently implemented and highlighting the outcomes observed in the second half of 2024.
Young players lose less compared to 24+ players
Implemented in October 2024, the measures aimed to enhance consumer protection, guide them away from offshore and black-market websites, and generally bolster the industry’s capacity to minimize harm and prevent excessive gambling. The most recent findings, according to the KSA, have shown positive progress in these areas, though some concerns persist. In its report and executive summary, the regulator highlighted several key statistics. For example, young people collectively accounted for 11% of gross gaming losses while comprising 9% of the adult gambling population. Specifically, this refers to individuals aged 18 to 23. Despite this, the group appears to gamble responsibly, losing an average of €48 per month—significantly lower than the €148 average monthly loss for individuals aged 24 and older. However, this still represents an improvement from the previous six-month period, when the 24-and-older age group lost an average of €160. Another positive outcome was the reduction in the number of accounts with extreme losses, which decreased to 1.2% from a previous 4%. An extreme loss is defined by the regulator as losses exceeding €1,000 per month, but this change signifies an even more significant underlying trend.
Extreme loss players contribute less to GGR
The regulator conducted an in-depth analysis of active accounts used at least once per month. During the survey period, which covered the year's second half, it was found that there were 1.19 million active accounts, an increase from 1.1 million in the previous six months. However, the watchdog advised against interpreting these figures straightforwardly, as the number of active accounts does not necessarily equate to the number of active players. The Dutch regulatory framework allows players to maintain multiple accounts if they wish.
Strong channelization but unsatisfactory gambling spend numbers
The regulator has a reason to celebrate: approximately 91% of individuals who gambled chose to do so with a regulated company, indicating a high channelization rate, although this is slightly lower than the 95% recorded in the first half of the year. The Netherlands is advancing significantly in implementing robust player protection measures, resulting in reduced player losses, enhanced harm minimization, and stronger overall safeguards. However, these achievements must be evaluated in context. The KSA's reporting methodology exemplifies how a transparent regulator, committed to enhancing market protections, should operate. Nevertheless, concerns remain. While 91% channelization among players is commendable, it is troubling that the KSA has evidence showing that 50% of total gambling spending is directed to operators not licensed in the country. Although the regulator reports a decrease in players experiencing extreme losses and a reduction in their contributions from 73% to 23% of gross gaming revenue, it is unlikely that these players have stopped gambling. This significant spending with unlicensed operators is a pressing issue that must be tackled. Stakeholders, lawmakers, and the regulator should continue examining existing measures to ensure that Dutch citizens spending heavily offshore return to the regulated market. However, channelization is only part of the picture, as the regulator estimates that half of the gambling expenditure still goes to illegal operators. Regarding problem gamblers, the Netherlands Gambling Authority is monitoring this aspect closely. The regulator noted that accurately identifying the number of individuals experiencing gambling-related issues is challenging. Therefore, they utilized the Cruks register, which included 87,345 people as of January 2025, with half of them under the age of 32.
