Dutch Regulator KSA Urges Parents to Discuss Gambling Risks with Youth Amid Market Contraction

The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has launched two campaigns to address youth gambling. OpenOverGokken targets parents of those aged 16 to 25. Gokstop promotes the national self-exclusion system. Both initiatives begin in early November.

The OpenOverGokken campaign highlights how young people encounter gambling content on social media, online videos, advertising, and video games. It notes that parents are often unaware of this exposure or feel unprepared to discuss the risks. The effort uses scenarios comparing open talks about sex and safety to gambling conversations in an attempt to normalize the latter.

The Gokstop campaign uses the slogan “Every moment is a Gokstop moment.” It directs at-risk young adults to consider self-exclusion before a crisis occurs. The campaign also calls on friends and family to support loved ones in registering. Gokstop connects directly to Cruks, the central exclusion register. Cruks bars players from all licensed online sites and land-based venues for terms from six months to permanent.

Market Data Shows 9% Contraction in 2025

The campaigns follow KSA data showing the regulated Dutch gambling market shrank 9% year-on-year in 2025. Gross gaming revenue totaled €4.1 billion ($4.6 billion) for the 12 months to December 31, 2025. That compares with €4.5 billion ($5 billion) in 2024.

New deposit limits introduced in October 2024 contributed to the decline. Players must prove they can afford more than €700 ($785) per month. The threshold drops to €300 ($336) for customers younger than 24. The KSA also flagged that around half of total online gambling revenue in the country comes from unlicensed operators.

Limits of Awareness Campaigns

These campaigns arrive as the regulated market contracts under stricter affordability rules. Their success will depend on measurable uptake of parental conversations and self-exclusions. Without clear metrics on youth participation rates before and after launch, the precise effect on harm reduction remains uncertain. Operators should track how such initiatives intersect with offshore market pressure.

The KSA approach treats family dialogue and timely self-exclusion as core tools. Regulators and operators will watch whether this combination slows youth uptake more effectively than deposit limits alone.