Dutch Gambling Authority reports high youth gambling engagement

The Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit or KSA) has released research detailing the gambling behaviors of young adults and the exposure of minors to gambling. The data indicates a significant surge in activity immediately upon reaching legal age, with 41% of new accounts opened by users aged 18 to 24 belonging to 18-year-olds. Approximately 11% of accounts for this demographic are opened on the user's 18th birthday, and 38% are opened within one month of reaching adulthood.

Contrary to previous theories that sports betting serves as a gateway to online gaming (iGaming), the latest findings suggest that casino games are the most common entry point for young adults.

Additionally, studies commissioned by the KSA highlight that minors are frequently exposed to gambling before the legal age through social interactions, such as receiving scratch cards as gifts or accessing relatives' accounts. This exposure is often framed as a form of social entertainment, which the authority notes could lead to future gambling harm.