Dutch regulator KSA published three studies showing early gambling socialisation among young adults. Between 1 and 7 May 2025, operators registered 15,761 funded accounts; 33% belonged to the 18–24 age group, and 41% of those were exactly 18 years old.
Eleven per cent of 18-year-olds opened an account on their birthday in 2024–2025, and 38% within the first month of turning 18. Median daily stake for young players stood at €111 against €209 for older users. Frequency averaged four days per month in the first quarter.
Seventy-two per cent of young users started with casino rather than sports betting, which accounted for 11%. Single-product accounts stayed that way into the second month; multi-product accounts often shifted to casino.
Qualitative research by Youngworks among 50 people aged 16–21 found first contact with gambling at 8–12 through lotteries, scratch cards and family bets. Independent play began at 12–14 with football pools and home poker games. Minors used accounts belonging to older acquaintances and split stakes via Tikkie. Platforms named included TOTO, Bet365, BetCity and Unibet.
A survey of 29,724 students showed 32% gambled in the past year: 28% among those aged 15–17 and 39% among adults. Around 2% displayed signs of problem gambling. In June the cabinet proposed a ban on online gambling advertising. Christian Democratic Party MP Meryam Sümer called for raising the minimum age to 24; the KSA chair opposed the move, citing the risk of pushing users to the grey market.
