The Online Gaming Barometer 2024, the latest edition of the annual survey by the Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA), reveals mixed outcomes for the Dutch gambling industry. While it finds a reduction in the percentage of problem gamblers, concerns are mounting that proposed legal changes could inadvertently weaken player protection by driving at-risk gamblers to illegal operators.
Conducted by Ipsos, the survey assessed that 39% of gamblers were problem players in 2024, down from 42% in 2023. The criteria for problem gambling were based on behaviors such as lying about gambling amounts and feeling compelled to bet more. Despite this improvement, the data also emphasizes the potential risks associated with increasing gambling taxes and further restricting certain types of games, like online slots.
When asked about their response if their current legal gambling providers were to be banned, a substantial portion of at-risk gamblers—47%—indicated they would turn to illegal providers. Only 25% disagreed. The sentiment was less pronounced but still significant among all players, at 37%, and among no-risk players, at 31%.
Moreover, within the at-risk cohort, nearly half (48%) expressed willingness to switch to illegal providers if required to show proof of income, and 41% stated they would switch if they reached their monetary playing limits. These insights led NOGA to voice concerns that stricter regulations might inadvertently channel players towards unlicensed sites that evade dutiful taxation and compliance with Dutch laws.
Peter-Paul de Goeij, NOGA’s director, remarked on the current channelisation rate, which stands at 95%, significantly exceeding the target rate of 80%. “While 95% is a commendable number, it still means around 90,000 Dutch players are gambling at illegal casinos,” he stated. De Goeij stressed the importance of minimizing illegal gambling options to safeguard vulnerable players, particularly at-risk gamblers who might lie about their gambling habits or exceed their intended betting amounts. According to him, stricter regulations might backfire by pushing these players into more dangerous, unregulated environments.
The survey, which queried 2,806 Dutch individuals aged 18 and older, covered a wide range of subjects, including market awareness, participation rates, advertising impacts, channelisation, and measures to prevent gambling addiction. The findings show that one in six Dutch adults (16%) engaged in online gambling last year, up from 13% in 2023 and 11% in 2022. Consistent with previous trends, a larger share of young adults aged 18-34 (29%) reported gambling online.
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In another positive trend noted by NOGA, the share of Dutch people exposed to gambling advertisements decreased from 80% in 2022 to 72% in the most recent survey. Despite these advertising restrictions, almost all players claimed they engaged with licensed providers, although two-thirds admitted they couldn’t easily identify unlicensed ones.
Regarding protective measures, a monthly playing limit per person is viewed as the most reliable, whereas a self-imposed ‘gambling freeze’ is deemed the least trustworthy by participants.
Following the survey findings, Ipsos presented two critical recommendations to enhance Dutch gambling policy: firstly, to focus on identifying potentially risky gambling behavior early to prevent addiction, and secondly, to scrutinize the online advertising activities of gambling providers. “The Dutch public believes that responsibility for identifying at-risk players lies with the providers,” noted Ipsos. “Providers should take this role seriously and act preemptively to prevent gambling addiction by identifying risk behaviors and intervening timely.”
On the matter of advertising, Ipsos warned, “Some providers might not fully comply with current regulations. Consequently, affiliated providers must adhere strictly to online advertising rules to avoid further regulatory tightening.”
These developments come amidst growing industry concerns over ever-increasing regulations and their potential to stoke black-market interest. Just this month, a coalition agreement proposed hiking the gambling tax from 30.5% to 37.8%, which would generate an additional €202 million for the state treasury. NOGA swiftly expressed concerns that such changes might push operators and players into the black market.
The proposed tax hike follows a recent vote by the house of representatives to ban “high-risk” gambling activities, including online slots. Netherlands Minister for Legal Protection Franc Weerwind is currently reviewing this legislation and will decide whether to implement these changes. The house had already banned untargeted online gambling advertisements in a law change made in 2023.
The results and recommendations from the Online Gaming Barometer 2024 underline the delicate balance that Dutch policymakers must strike between regulation and protection without inadvertently driving players towards unregulated, illegal gambling platforms.
