Dutch regulator allocates nearly $2.32 million to strengthen early detection of gambling harm

The Netherlands Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has approved nearly €2 million ($2.32 million) to fund a new national initiative aimed at identifying gambling problems earlier and preventing them from escalating, as the country steps up efforts to address addiction risks and bolster consumer protection.

The Dutch Partnership for Early Detection of Gambling Damage, known as SVSG, will coordinate work between health agencies, social-services providers and research institutions. The subsidy comes from the Addiction Prevention Fund, which is financed through levies on licensed gambling operators.

The regulator’s announcement follows recent enforcement actions, including fines against three social media influencers who promoted illegal betting providers by sharing videos of players on unlicensed platforms and encouraging their followers to participate.

The SVSG brings together the Trimbos Institute, Addiction Studies Netherlands, GGD GHOR Nederland and the Dutch Debt Relief Route to create a unified national framework linking addiction care, local authorities and frontline support services. The KSA estimates that around 209,000 people in the Netherlands are at high risk of gambling addiction, but only a small share receive treatment, a gap officials say underscores the need for coordinated intervention.

Modelled on the existing Partnership for Early Detection of Alcohol Problems (SVA), active since 2019, the SVSG aims to streamline resources, reduce fragmentation and provide consistent guidance for professionals who work with vulnerable individuals.

A significant part of the effort will focus on strengthening regional and local capacity. Municipalities will be encouraged to integrate early detection into local policy, while cooperation will be expanded between local practitioners, regional partners and national research bodies. Pilot programmes are scheduled to begin in early 2026 across five regions, with local teams, Attention Officers and debt-relief specialists working together to identify early warning signs and improve referral pathways. Training materials will be reviewed and updated to reflect emerging risks.

The initiative also seeks to build professional awareness more broadly. Staff in community and social-service roles, along with future workers in education and healthcare, will receive updated training on behavioural indicators of gambling harm and appropriate early responses. A national online platform will be created to centralise practical experiences, guidance and tools, and to support knowledge sharing across regions.

Separately, the KSA recently issued new guidance to strengthen how slot halls and land-based casinos fulfil their legal duty of care. Published on Sept. 16, the guidance offered “practical tools and explanations” and introduced “no new rules,” the regulator said. It follows nationwide inspections that found most operators were aware of their responsibilities, though “the implementation in certain areas could still be improved.”