On 24 November 2025, on the initiative of the Expertisecentrum Gokken of the Trimbos-instituut, the first edition of a National Congress on Gambling Harm (Nationaal Gokschade Congres). This unique event aims to bring together researchers, health professionals, policy makers and, above all, people who have suffered from gambling-related harm.
Breaking isolation, listening to experience
This congress is not intended to be a platform for gambling operators or lobbies. The Expertisecentrum clearly states:
‘We ask gambling providers and their direct partners not to participate, out of respect for participants who have personal experience of gambling-related harm. The Expertise Centre on Gambling organises meetings for the sector itself at other times.’
The intention is to create a space for authentic dialogue, where the stories of victims are not relegated to the background but become a driving force for action.
Bringing together research, fieldwork and policy
Beyond personal accounts, there is also an intellectual challenge: combining scientific knowledge with the realities on the ground. The Expertisecentrum Gokken aims to bring together health professionals, researchers, prevention workers and decision-makers.
A key feature of the conference is its focus on the specific experiences of young people, who are often more exposed to the dangers of online gambling. By playing an active role in this collective dialogue, they will no longer be silent victims, but agents of change.
An independent scientific framework, a guarantee of trust
The Expertisecentrum Gokken (within the Trimbos-instituut) is an independent body, funded by the Ministry of Justice and Security, but clearly separate from any influence from gambling operators. It is this scientific autonomy that will strengthen the credibility of the discussions, based on rigorous and validated data.
Progress, but not the end
The launch of the conference is part of a broader initiative to strengthen prevention tools, refine reporting and treatment programmes, and create shared benchmarks. The conference is above all a milestone, not an end in itself.
As a researcher at the Expertisecentrum points out, the targeted development and dissemination of knowledge is essential to equip professionals in the field. And in the longer term, a common instrument for measuring gambling-related harm is in preparation, as is a national data monitoring system and dedicated training courses.
The Nationaal Gokschade Congres, which will take place on 24 November 2025, promises to be an unprecedented dialogue on the harms of gambling. It is more than just an event: it is a call to bring together scientific expertise, practical experience in the field and the experiences of those affected. In doing so, the expertise centre is laying the foundations for a more humane, strategic and sustainable approach to prevention.