Young people and gambling: the shocking study by Trimbos
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7 Aug 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes As online gambling becomes increasingly popular in the Netherlands, more and more minors and young adults are exposing themselves to problematic gambling behaviour, often from their very first experience. In response to this reality, the Trimbos Institute is launching an innovative programme, Moti-4 Gokken, to intervene before addiction sets in.
When gambling starts to get out of hand
Despite strict laws surrounding online gambling in the Netherlands, it appears that young people are still finding ways to access these platforms. The Trimbos Institute warns that nearly one in 15 students (6.7%) aged 12 to 16 say they have gambled online for money in the past year. This rate doubles among 16-year-olds (8.8%) compared to 12-year-olds (4.3%); boys are six times more likely than girls to engage in these practices.
Among young adults (aged 18–23), the situation is even more worrying: they account for 22% of accounts used, even though they make up only 9.4% of the Dutch population. This overrepresentation suggests a marked vulnerability, which is confirmed by professionals: this age group has higher levels of risky addiction, while its financial resources are often limited, exacerbating the potential for economic and psychological damage.
A programme designed to take early action
It is in this context that the Trimbos Institute, in partnership with the Mondriaan prevention organisation, is launching a project called Moti-4 Gokken in August 2025. Aimed at young people aged 16 to 24, this programme offers four interviews conducted by trained facilitators to help participants become aware of their gambling behaviour and detach themselves from it if it becomes a concern.
The initiative is based on the idea that light but targeted support can prevent simple curiosity from turning into a lasting addiction. By taking action as soon as symptoms appear (obsessive thoughts, frequent financial losses, isolation), it offers a real alternative before the addictive spiral sets in.
Why intervene at the first signs?
Prevention during periods of vulnerability is crucially important. When gambling becomes a means of escape, things can quickly spiral out of control. Trimbos has already warned of worrying practices: some players lose several times the average national salary in a single evening, sometimes via more than 20 deposits in 24 hours, and legal operators do not intervene in time to offer help. This observation highlights the gap between regulation and actual practice, and underlines the need for human intervention at the right moment, not just algorithms or automatic blocks.
Stricter obligations, but still insufficient
The law requires licensed operators to display a clear warning: ‘How much does gambling cost you? Stop in time. 18+’ now replaces ‘Gamble responsibly, 18+’, which was deemed too lenient. In addition, since January 2023, non-targeted advertising for online gambling has been banned from television, radio and print media, and since 1 July 2025, from sports sponsorship.
Despite these changes, the desired effect has not been fully achieved. Young people’s exposure to advertising remains significant via the internet and influencers. Moti-4 Gokken recognises that laws alone are not enough and that human interaction and support remain essential in breaking the grip of addiction. By giving young people a voice and the tools to question themselves, the Trimbos Institute is establishing a prevention framework that can make a difference.