Under the Wet op de kansspelen and its digital extension Wet kansspelen op afstand, the Netherlands is reinforcing its online gambling framework with a stronger focus on player protection. In this context, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), led by chairman Michel Groothuizen, announced on April 15, 2026 the funding of five targeted projects aimed at reducing gambling-related harm through the Verslavingspreventiefonds (VPF).
The VPF—financed through mandatory contributions from high-risk operators—has become a core regulatory tool within the Dutch system, which enforces the principle of duty of care (zorgplicht), requiring operators to monitor player behavior and intervene when risk patterns emerge.
The five funded initiatives form a coordinated prevention strategy. AGOG will expand peer-support networks both offline and digitally; the Nederlandse Vereniging voor Psychiatrie will develop updated clinical guidelines for gambling addiction treatment; the Trimbos-instituut will run two pilot programs focused on youth prevention and early detection in workplaces; and Stichting Naast will enhance support services for affected families.
The move comes amid mounting structural pressure on the Dutch market. Legal gambling generated around €4.3 billion in 2024, while player channelization remains high but financial flows continue to be shared with the illegal market. At the same time, the government has increased taxation to 37.8% on GGR in 2026, raising operational costs for licensed operators.
The Dutch regulatory model combines strict licensing, advertising restrictions, age verification and the national self-exclusion system Cruks, but faces an ongoing challenge: balancing player protection with market competitiveness.
The deployment of prevention funding signals a strategic shift toward earlier intervention, aiming to reduce harm while reinforcing the long-term sustainability and legitimacy of the regulated market.
