Recent data from the Scientific Research and Data Centre (WODC) reveals that 10% of Dutch residents aged 16 and above engaged in online gambling over the past year. This insight comes from a factsheet published on January 29, 2025, summarizing findings from three studies conducted throughout 2024. The research highlights the evolving landscape of gambling in the Netherlands, especially following the legalization of online gambling in October 2021.
Offline vs. Online Gambling Preferences
The studies indicate that 64% of the Dutch population participated in offline gambling activities in 2024. Lotteries dominated this segment, with 55% of participants purchasing lottery tickets. Scratchcards and bingo were also popular, attracting 21% and 7% of offline gamblers, respectively.
In contrast, online gambling saw lower overall participation, with only 10% of individuals placing bets via the internet. However, sports betting emerged as an exception; 4% of respondents engaged in online sports betting, surpassing the 3% who preferred traditional, land-based options. 
The Rise of Online Gambling Among Youth
A significant finding is that 70% of online gamblers began their activities after the market’s official launch in October 2021. This surge is particularly noticeable among younger demographics. The WODC expressed concerns that this trend could lead to increased instances of gambling addiction, especially since younger individuals are more susceptible to such risks.
The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) was utilized to assess risk levels. While only 1% of all gamblers (including those participating in lotteries) were classified as high-risk, the figure escalated to 18% among young adults who managed personal online gambling accounts. Additionally, 11% of all online gamblers with personal accounts were deemed high-risk, and 10% fell into the moderate-risk category.
Recommendations for Enhanced Regulatory Measures
The WODC criticized current Dutch policies for placing excessive responsibility on individuals to regulate their gambling behaviors. This approach may be inadequate for younger players who are more vulnerable to addiction.
The studies also revealed gaps in preventive measures. In 2024, only 24% of online gamblers received information about their gambling habits through on-screen pop-ups, and a mere 9% were contacted via chat or email. Furthermore, just 4% had temporarily self-excluded from gambling activities, and only 3% had registered for an involuntary ban. Alarmingly, many problem gamblers were unaware of available tools like Cruks, the national self-exclusion program.
In light of these findings, the WODC proposed several recommendations to strengthen regulations and better protect vulnerable groups. These include implementing more proactive measures by operators to monitor and address risky behaviors, increasing public awareness of support tools, and reassessing the current policies that heavily rely on self-regulation by players.
