Dutch MPs call for repeal of online gambling legalisation

Two Dutch parliament members, Diederik van Dijk (SGP) and Derk Boswijk (CDA), have submitted a motion aimed at reversing the 2021 legalisation of online gambling in the Netherlands. 

The motion, titled “Gambled and Lost,” outlines six proposals intended to amend the country’s gambling laws, with the most significant recommendation being a complete ban on online gambling.

The MPs argued that the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) has had severe “unpleasant side effects,” leading to widespread social issues, including a sharp rise in gambling addiction and related mental health problems. 

They emphasised the risks to young adults, many of whom they say are “trapped behind their screens” and losing significant amounts of money.

According to the politicians, the legalisation has normalised the gambling market, exacerbating problems such as addiction, debt, and the exploitation of young people.

Van Dijk (pictured right) and Boswijk claimed the law primarily serves as a “major profit module” for the gambling industry, to the detriment of vulnerable individuals and broader society. 

They also pointed to a troubling link between gambling addiction and suicide, which they cite as a key reason for calling for the law’s repeal.

Cannot be achieved overnight

The MPs acknowledged that reversing the legalisation will be a long process, stating: “We are aware that the reversal of online gambling legalisation will not be achieved overnight.” 

They also recognised the challenge of eliminating online gambling altogether, noting that some players may still gamble illegally. 

Despite these challenges, they argued that a general ban could be enforced effectively. 

For example, websites offering online gambling could be taken down swiftly, leveraging the Digital Services Act (DSA) to target illegal sites.

Other measures 

Given the expectation of a lengthy process, the motion not only called for a ban on online gambling but also proposed several “softer” measures, such as banning all forms of online gambling advertisements, whether targeted or untargeted.

The MPs stressed the need for stronger oversight of gambling companies, with the government playing a more active role in protecting consumers. 

They suggested additional measures, including easier access to help services for gamblers, increased monitoring of foreign online casinos, and expanded protections for those registered in the Central Exclusion Register (Cruks), which restricts access to gambling services for vulnerable individuals.

Van Dijk and Boswijk argued that the financial impact of their proposals would be minimal. 

They pointed out that the Ministry of Justice and Security already has a budget for modernising gambling policies, meaning the cost of reversing the law could be absorbed without significant additional expenses.

This is not the first call from Dutch politicians to reverse the KOA. 

Last year, Anne Kuik, a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), launched a similar initiative, though it did not gain the traction needed to change the law. 

Increase in young adult gambling

In separate news, KSA chair Michel Groothuizen confirmed today (10 October) that recent market data revealed a rise in young adults participating in gambling.

“Our monitoring report shows that the number of young adults who gamble continues to increase,” Groothuizen said.

According to the report, young adults aged 18 to 23 accounted for 10.8% of Dutch GGR in the first half of 2024, up from 9.6% in the previous six months.

While this age group makes up only 9.4% of the population, they hold 23% of all gambling accounts, indicating a higher level of engagement with gambling platforms.

However, they tend to lose less money than older gamblers, averaging €55 per month.

Groothuizen suggested that the spike in gambling activity among young people might be a side effect of events like the Euro 2024.

“But even though young adults spend a lot less money on gambling per month than their fellow players aged 24 and over, it is a development that we are keeping a close eye on,” he said.

“The same applies to the addiction figures: now that the online market has been open longer, we are getting a better picture of the development of the number of problem gamblers.

“This means that we are now gradually starting to see whether this has increased more since the opening of the online market,” he said.

Although no comprehensive figures exist on the total number of people with gambling addictions in the Netherlands, the KSA report shows 2,456 people were treated for gambling addiction in 2023, a 28% increase from 2022.

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