In May 2025, the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) announced the funding of four new projects to raise awareness of the risks associated with gambling. These initiatives, supported by the Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF), aim to inform and protect various audiences against the dangers of problem gambling.
The VPF, which will be set up in 2021, is financed by an additional tax levied on high-risk gambling operators. The Ksa manages this fund in collaboration with partners specialising in addiction prevention.
Training healthcare professionals: e-learning from Jellinek and GGZ Ecademy
Centre Jellinek, in partnership with GGZ Ecademy, has developed an e-learning course aimed at front-line healthcare professionals, such as general practitioners, psychologists and debt counsellors. This e-learning aims to improve the early detection of problem gambling behaviour.
Launched during a well-attended webinar, this course now benefits from additional financial support to increase its profile and accessibility.
Educating young people: Extension of the ‘Helder op school’ programme
The ‘Helder op School’ programme, developed by the Institut Trimbos, is being extended to include specific modules on gaming. Aimed at secondary and higher education establishments, the programme provides tools to help teachers address the risks associated with gambling with their pupils.
The new resources include guides for organising information evenings for parents and teaching aids aimed at discouraging gambling among young people.
Raising awareness among footballers: a VVCS initiative
The Vereniging van Contract Spelers (VVCS), the professional players’ association, is stepping up its efforts to inform footballers in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie, including the U-21 and U-19 teams, about the dangers of gambling.
In addition to the existing information sessions, the VVCS is introducing a brochure detailing tools such as ‘Gokstop’ and the ‘Gamban’ software, which can be used to block access to gambling sites. In addition, former gamblers who have overcome gambling problems will be trained to share their experiences and raise awareness among their peers.
Making information accessible: Modules on Steffie.nl
Steffie.nl, an educational platform for people with reading difficulties or cognitive disorders, is developing four interactive modules on the theme of games. These modules, scheduled for autumn 2025, will cover the following topics: ‘What is gambling?’, ‘Addiction to gambling’, ‘Self-assessment of gambling behaviour’ and ‘Recognising games of chance’.The aim of this initiative is to provide clear, understandable information to an audience that is often overlooked in traditional prevention campaigns.