The Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) has published findings from three studies examining gambling behaviour among minors and young adults aged 18 to 24.
The research suggests that gambling has become increasingly normalised in society, with many children first being exposed to gambling before reaching the legal age of 18.
One study examined gambling behaviour among young adults during their first three months after registering with a licensed online gambling operator. It found that 41% of new accounts among 18–24-year-olds belonged to 18-year-olds. However, this age group also spent and wagered the least on average.
Unlike previous Ksa reports, which identified sports betting as a potential entry point into other forms of gambling, the latest research found that most young adults started with casino games.
How minors are exposed to gambling
A qualitative study conducted by Youngworks on behalf of the Ksa examined how young people are introduced to gambling before turning 18.
The research found that many children encounter legal gambling products through adults. Parents may buy scratch cards for them, while older friends or relatives may share their online gambling accounts with minors.
At this stage, gambling is often a social activity and is not necessarily viewed as risky. Examples include playing poker with friends or placing sports bets together.
At the same time, many young people identify gambling alone and using illegal operators as important warning signs of potentially problematic gambling behaviour.
28% of underage MBO students reported gambling
A separate study of students in Dutch MBO vocational education also found a significant level of gambling among minors.
While 68% of all surveyed students said they did not gamble at all, 28% of underage students said they had gambled during the past year.
The most common forms were scratch cards, bingo and gaming machines, with most exposure occurring through land-based gambling products.
The Ksa said the findings show that young people are exposed to gambling at an early age and that gambling is not always perceived as a risky activity.
The regulator will now examine additional measures to strengthen protections for minors. Work on potential measures is already underway with the Dutch Ministry as part of a multi-year programme aimed at protecting people from gambling-related harm.
