Amsterdam, January 10, 2025 – The Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) has unveiled its Supervisory Agenda for 2025, highlighting a strong focus on underage gambling and stricter enforcement of advertising regulations in the gambling sector.

The new agenda details a thorough regulatory approach, emphasizing the protection of minors from gambling-related harm and ensuring that advertising practices comply with legal standards designed to prevent gambling addiction and safeguard vulnerable groups.

Focus on Underage Gambling

One of the central themes of the 2025 agenda is the prevention of minors participating in gambling activities. The KSA plans to investigate the extent to which young people under the legal gambling age of 18 are accessing gambling platforms. The authority has voiced concerns over the exposure of under-24s to online gambling, even with the recent tightening of deposit limits for this demographic.

The new measures focus on underage gambling, including a detailed review of how gambling providers target young adults and the strategies they use to attract them. The KSA is dedicated to ensuring the industry upholds its duty of care by promoting responsible gambling practices, especially for younger players.

Tightening Advertising Regulations

Another significant aspect of the agenda is the reinforcement of advertising compliance. Over the past year, the KSA noted numerous violations of the advertising regulations tightened in 2024. The agenda for 2025 will see an expansion in the supervision of these rules, with a particular focus on how gambling is marketed, especially through influencers and affiliates who have a broad reach among potentially vulnerable groups.

The authority plans to offer additional guidance on advertising practices throughout the year, aiming to curb any promotional activities that might exploit or endanger vulnerable audiences. This includes a crackdown on untargeted advertising, which has been a point of contention in the industry, especially with the ban on such promotions in various media formats.

Broader Supervisory Actions

In addition to these focal points, the KSA will continue its efforts to combat illegal gambling offerings. The agenda includes plans for more targeted enforcement against illegal websites and intermediaries like payment providers and affiliates that facilitate these operations. This approach aims to hit illegal providers where it hurts, ensuring that the legal market remains the primary choice for Dutch players.

The agenda also reaffirms the KSA’s commitment to social responsibility, with plans to intensify rules around land-based venues and maintain regular communication with operators to foster behavioral change in the industry.

Comment from the KSA

René Jansen, Chairman of the KSA, commented on the release of the agenda, saying, “Our goal is to ensure a safe and responsible gambling environment. The focus on underage gambling and advertising compliance reflects our commitment to protecting players and promoting a sustainable gambling market. We will not hesitate to enforce our regulations to the fullest to safeguard public health and integrity in gambling.”

This agenda marks a continued effort by the KSA to adapt to the evolving landscape of gambling in the Netherlands, where online gambling has seen significant growth since the market opened in October 2021. With these new measures, the KSA aims to reinforce the integrity of the Dutch gambling market while protecting its citizens, particularly the younger demographic, from the potential harms of gambling.

About Kansspelautoriteit (KSA):

The Kansspelautoriteit oversees gambling in the Netherlands, ensuring all activities comply with legal and ethical standards. With a focus on underage gambling, the KSA aims to prevent addiction, fight illegal operations, and protect consumers.