In a significant move to tackle gambling addiction, the Netherlands has seen the launch of the first subsidized research initiatives under the ambit of the new ZonMw Prevention of Gambling Addiction program. This program, spearheaded by ZonMw, a prominent Dutch organization dedicated to health research and development, has the mandate to operate until the end of the decade, specifically until 2029.
The inception of this program marks a strategic partnership with the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gaming regulator, reinforcing the country’s commitment to addressing the growing concerns related to gambling addiction. This initiative is not just a landmark for the healthcare sector but also reflects the evolving regulatory perspective on gambling activities in the country.
Sourced from the newly established Victims Prevention Fund (VPF), the funding of these six pioneering research projects stems from an additional levy imposed on high-risk gambling activities since its establishment in 2021. The VPF’s mandate, administered accurately and effectively by the KSA, encompasses a variety of objectives, not least of which is sponsoring crucial research to both prevent and treat gambling addiction.
A significant facet of this inaugural grant allocation, known informally as the ‘breakthrough round,’ spotlights crucial themes. “The main areas of interest involve vulnerable population groups, preventive measures, varieties of treatment, and intervention strategies. Additionally, the focus is on gambling-related harms, as well as the product characteristics and the broader context in which gambling activities take place,” articulated a spokesperson for the program.
The zest of this ambitious research endeavor is evident in projects such as the insightful evaluation and innovation of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) treatments for gambling at the Amsterdam UMC. The prestigious Trimbos Institute is geared up to conduct research that is pivotal in developing and testing the viability of Moti-4, a program aimed at addressing gambling issues among the youth demographic.
Emphasizing a dual-pronged approach to this challenge, both Trimbos Institute and Amsterdam UMC have been honored with two awards each. They are not alone in their endeavors; the University of Amsterdam and IVO are also at the helms of significant research projects. The University of Amsterdam, in particular, is delving into the fine print of advertising’s influence on vulnerable groups, seeking answers to the types of gambling advertisements these groups encounter, and the resultant implications of such exposure.
The selection of ZonMw to helm the program occurred in 2021, strategically timed weeks before the debut of the licensed gambling market in the Netherlands. This intentional planning was buttressed by assigning the Human Assistance Network for Daily Support (HANDS) and The National Healthcare Institute the responsibility of orchestrating strategies to minimize the repercussions of gambling.
The Prevention of Gambling Addiction program officially commenced in March 2023 with a call for grant applications issuing a clarion call to those engaged in the frontlines of prevention and treatment of gambling addiction and associated challenges. This concerted effort to address the intricacies of gambling addiction through scientific inquiry and application affirms the Netherlands’ proactive stance on societal well-being and represents a noteworthy stride towards safer gambling practices.
