The Netherlands is reinforcing its national approach to gambling harm prevention through a new five-year programme led by the Dutch Gaming Authority and ZonMw. With a joint investment of €21 million, the initiative aims to reduce gambling-related harm by supporting independent research and practical interventions between 2025 and 2030.

The renewed programme, funded through the national Addiction Prevention Fund, continues its predecessor’s work by focusing on long-term strategies to protect vulnerable players. The fund is financed through levies collected from licensed gambling operators.

Focus on Research and Real-World Impact

The initiative is powered by a commitment to strengthening the knowledge base around gambling addiction. The programme will fund research in five important areas, player vulnerability and behaviour, early detection of addiction risks, treatment practices, the involvement of people with lived experience, and the development of a national knowledge infrastructure. 

These areas aim to address both individual and systemic factors contributing to gambling harm. This will ensure a more comprehensive understanding of the issue. ZonMw will also be responsible for ensuring that research outcomes are translated into real-world prevention and treatment measures. This includes supporting development opportunities and creating practical interventions that professionals in mental health and addiction services can use.

National Leaders Highlight Urgency

KSA Chairman Michel Groothuizen emphasised the authority’s commitment to player protection, describing it as a top priority. He stated that continuing to invest in knowledge and research is essential to reduce gambling-related harm and support individuals at risk.

Véronique Timmerhuis, Managing Director at ZonMw, called gambling addiction an urgent social challenge and stressed the importance of connecting gambling research with broader mental health and addiction treatment fields. She noted that this integrated approach would help address the growing complexity of gambling-related harm in the Netherlands.

Building on Previous Programme Results

The 2025 to 2030 initiative builds upon the foundations laid by the first edition of the Prevention of Gambling Addiction programme. Several research projects from the initial phase have already been presented at the international Current Advances in Gambling Research conference, held in Amsterdam in 2024 and 2025. Early results from these projects are expected to be published within the coming year.

This renewed programme signals the Netherlands’ long-term commitment to addressing gambling addiction through evidence-based policies and coordinated national action. It also reflects broader regulatory measures, including the KSA’s recent confirmation that no gambling sponsorships will be permitted at high-profile events such as the Zandvoort Grand Prix.

As gambling behaviour evolves in a digital landscape, the Dutch authorities prioritise the development of proactive tools and support systems to protect players and reduce harm at every level.