Stricter Gambling Legislation Drives Risk Players to Illegal Gambling Sites

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (May 28, 2024) — Nearly half of risk gamblers are unwilling to show proof of income to gamble online. These players indicate that they are switching to an illegal gambling site. This also applies to risk players who reach their playing limit: more than 40% indicate that they will switch to a provider where they do not have to set a limit. These are some striking conclusions from the Online Gambling Barometer 2024, the research by IPSOS I&O into developments in the Dutch online gambling market. 

The main goal of the legislator is that 80% of players choose the legal offer and avoid criminal illegal online casinos. This objective has been achieved again. 95% of Dutch people who sometimes take a gamble online do so with a licensed online gaming provider. 

Reducing illegal supply

Director Peter-Paul de Goeij of NOGA, the Dutch Online Gambling Association:  “95% is a good percentage, but it also means that around 90,000 Dutch people still gamble at illegal casinos. As many as all residents of Heerlen or Hengelo. It is important to reduce the illegal supply as far as possible. The upcoming stricter legislation is driving risk players in particular to illegal providers. Risk players are people who sometimes lie about their gambling behavior or bet more money than they intended. These are players who deserve extra protection. Stricter measures may be counterproductive here.”

Of the players, 68% cannot distinguish between legal and illegal offers. ” Players often have no idea. This is partly due to the advertising ban on TV, radio and newspapers. If you search on Google, you will immediately end up at dozens of illegal casinos ,” warns director De Goeij of NOGA, the trade association of online gambling providers.

Duty of care and young adults

For the first time, the Online Gambling Barometer 2024 shows no growth in the number of young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 who gamble online. While the number of risk players among young adults increased in 2023, it remained stable in 2024. Half of the Dutch players are young adults, last year that was 60%. There has been a small increase in the total number of online players. This narrow growth is significantly lower than in other European countries. It is also striking that the Dutch have not started playing more often per year.

Dutch people believe that online gambling providers are responsible for preventing and identifying problematic gambling behavior. Chairman Helma Lodders of the VNLOK, trade organization for Licensed Dutch Online Gaming Providers: “ The protection of players and in particular vulnerable players, such as young adults, is our top priority. Online gambling providers with a license have an important responsibility to prevent and identify risky or problem games as much as possible. Taking a chance should be fun and not lead to problems.”

About the Online Gaming Barometer

This is the fourth time that market research agency Ipsos I&O has conducted the Online Gaming Barometer. The Barometer provides reliable information and shows trends in the online gambling market. The Barometer is therefore important for a substantive discussion about the online gambling market in the Netherlands. NOGA is the initiator of the Barometer and has been working with VNLOK since this year.

The Online Kansspel Barometer 2024 can be found at www.no-ga.nl,www.vnlok.nl.

More information:
Peter-Paul de Goeij, director NOGA, 06-28021067 and info@no-ga.nl
Herbert Brinkman, translator VNLOK, 06-37165743 herbert.brinkman@vnlok.nl

About VNLOK

Licensed Dutch Online Gambling Providers (VNLOK) is a trade association for providers of online gambling with a license from the Dutch Gaming Authority. VNLOK is committed to a safe, fair and responsible online gaming market.

SOURCE: NEDERLANDSE ONLINE GAMBLING ASSOCIATIE