Netherlands: Barely 18, and they’re already opening gambling accounts
•
21 Août 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
In the Netherlands, new data released by the Ksa highlights the role gambling plays in the lives of teenagers and young adults, from their first experiences before reaching the age of majority to opening accounts as soon as they turn 18.
Before the age of 18, gambling is already part of everyday life
Entry into the world of gambling does not necessarily begin with the opening of a legal account. This is one of the key findings of the research cited by the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa).
A study carried out by Youngworks at the regulator’s request shows that children may be exposed to gambling long before they reach the legal age. This exposure can take forms that, at first glance, seem relatively innocuous. For example, some receive scratch cards as gifts. Others may gain access to a family member’s gambling account.
These situations can present gambling as an ordinary form of entertainment, integrated into family or social relationships. When those around them do not regard the activity as particularly risky, young people themselves may find it more difficult to recognise the dangers involved.
“Gambling is often a group activity that young people regard as harmless. The social aspect – such as playing poker with friends or betting on sport together – plays a major role.”
28 per cent of young people surveyed said they had gambled in the past year
The figures relating to minors provide a more concrete measure of this exposure. In a third study cited by the Ksa, 28 per cent of young people aged 12 to 18 surveyed said they had taken part in gambling in the previous twelve months.
Scratch cards, bingo and slot machines were among the most frequently mentioned forms of gambling.
The various studies therefore do not merely describe isolated behaviours. Taken together, they reveal a possible pattern: an initial exposure to gambling before the age of 18, followed by rapid access to online gambling once the legal age is reached.
At the age of 18, opening an account can happen very quickly
The data concerning young adults is particularly revealing. The Ksa examined the first three months following the registration of young players with authorised online gambling operators.
Among new accounts belonging to users aged 18 to 24, 41 per cent were registered in the names of 18-year-olds. Even more strikingly, many accounts were created around the time of their holders’ 18th birthdays.
However, an important caveat must be noted: 18-year-olds are also the group that placed the lowest average stakes within the 18–24 age group.
Casino games are more popular than sports betting among new players
Another finding from the research concerns how young adults start gambling online.
Sports betting has previously been identified in Ksa reports as a possible gateway to other forms of gambling. This hypothesis is based, in particular, on the idea that a young person initially attracted to sports betting might subsequently discover other products offered on the platforms.
However, the most recent data paint a different picture: casino games are the most common entry point among the young adults studied.
Normalisation is becoming a key issue for the regulator
The findings presented reinforce the priorities set out by the Ksa for 2026. The protection of vulnerable groups, particularly children, remains at the heart of its work.