The rise of online gambling and political debates surrounding advertising and player protection have reignited a fundamental question: is gambling socially acceptable? Recent data from studies in Belgium and the Netherlands reveal a complex reality.
A widespread practice in society
In many European countries, gambling is now part of everyday life.
In Belgium, a study commissioned by the authorities shows that 53% of young adults aged 18 to 30 have participated in betting or gambling despite a recent tightening of the rules. This survey, conducted among more than a thousand people, reveals that sports betting remains the most popular activity in this age group.
The reforms introduced in recent years — notably the ban on most gambling advertising and the raising of the legal age to 21 — have certainly changed certain behaviours, but they have not eliminated interest in these activities.
Even more revealing: 30% of respondents say they gamble occasionally, while 13% say they do so weekly and 10% daily. For many, gambling remains primarily a form of entertainment comparable to other leisure activities. Recommendations from friends, social media and sports broadcasts play a decisive role in the choice of gambling platforms.
Researchers emphasise that social acceptance strongly influences gamblers’ behaviour. When an activity is perceived as normal or widespread, individuals are more inclined to adopt it. In Belgium, for example, recommendations from friends are the primary factor influencing young adults’ choice of gambling site, ahead of advertising or social media.
According to a study of 1,000 people conducted for the Open Over Gokken platform, nearly a quarter of Dutch people consider gambling to be a normal activity in their social environment. Forty-three per cent of those surveyed said they would be less inclined to gamble if no one in their circle did so. The results also show that social circles play a decisive role in gambling behaviour: individuals who perceive gambling as a normal activity are more likely to be in contact with other gamblers.
A persistent taboo surrounding addiction
Paradoxically, although gambling is widespread, talking about addiction remains difficult. A survey conducted in the Netherlands reveals that the majority of respondents still consider the issue of excessive gambling to be a taboo subject.
Many are even unaware of the support services available to problem gamblers. More than half of the participants in this study did not know where to turn for help with gambling-related problems. In many cases, problem gamblers only seek help after accumulating significant losses or encountering serious personal difficulties.
The growing role of regulation
Faced with these challenges, governments have stepped up measures to regulate the sector. Belgium, for example, has banned most gambling advertisements and raised the legal age for gambling to 21. The authorities are also monitoring illegal platforms more closely and have set up systems allowing gamblers to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling.
Gambling now occupies a paradoxical place in our societies. Its popularity shows that it is widely accepted as a form of entertainment. However, studies also reveal real risks: addiction, financial losses, exposure of young people and the development of illegal platforms.
The question, then, is perhaps not whether gambling is socially acceptable, but under what conditions it can be.