In an extensive report by the Kansspelautoriteit gaming authority (KSA), it has been documented that the Dutch online gambling sector has attained a momentous milestone, reaching gross gaming revenue (GGR) of €1.39 billion as of December 31, 2023. This figure represents a substantial 28% increase when juxtaposed with the revenue of the preceding year. Notably, the growth dynamic exhibited a slight shift in the latter half of 2023, with the GGR experiencing a modest rise of 1% in comparison to the first six months of the year.
The KSA’s sixth monitor report presented more than just financial statistics; it unveiled the significant expansion of the gambling community, with the active account numbers soaring to 1.1 million in 2023, translating to a 13% growth from 2022’s count of 970,000. This growing engagement is further highlighted by the estimation that around 448,000 players are active monthly, equating to about a third of the total accounts.
The latter half of 2023 witnessed approximately 726,000 players engaging with legal online gambling service providers. This statistic suggests that in just half a year, nearly 5% of the adult population in the Netherlands partook in online gambling activities. The report also sheds light on the financial impact on players, indicating an average loss figure of €958 over the six months leading up to the end of 2023, which breaks down to about €160 monthly. This is a marginal decline from the €170 calculated in the first half of the year.
A notable facet of the report is the overrepresentation of young adults within the online gambling sphere. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 23, who constitute 9.5% of the population, account for 22% of all online gambling account holders. This statistic has remained relatively stable since the previous report, with no significant change in the involvement of young adult players over the past year. Furthermore, these younger players reportedly lose less than their older counterparts, averaging €52 per month.
The latest KSA report also explored the topics of channelisation and advertising, particularly significant as it’s the first since enforcing restrictions on untargeted advertising in July 2023. An impressive achievement in this realm is the report’s revelation that 90% of players choose to gamble exclusively on legal websites—a figure that comfortably surpasses the target of 80%.
The KSA provided insights into the effects of the recent advertising regulations, noting that the gambling market did not shrink noticeably post-enforcement. The drop-in visits was primarily from non-players, indicating effective targeting, as regular gamblers continued visiting the websites unaffected by the ban. This outcome suggests that the aim of the advertising ban, which is to prevent exposure to non-gamblers, is being achieved.
Additionally, the KSA has outlined its supervisory objectives for 2024 with an overarching goal of ensuring ‘safe gaming.’ One of its strategic priorities is to augment the protection of the vulnerable segments of the population from gambling addiction. This goal is in keeping with the 2023 initiatives, which saw the introduction of a sweeping restriction on most forms of gambling advertisements.
Another pivotal area of focus for the KSA is the crackdown on the availability of illegal online gambling offerings. The authority is striving for at least 90% of gambling by Dutch players to occur through lawful channels.
The discussion around gambling practices and their regulation continues to be a significant point of concern in the Netherlands. In February, Derk Boswijk, representing the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party, proposed an outright prohibition on gambling advertising, a motion that was a step beyond the 2023 limitations and reflected the mounting worries over potential gambling-related harms. Although the motion did not pass, its consideration alone underscores the heightened scrutiny and ongoing debate surrounding the Dutch gambling landscape.
