Teun Struycken, State Secretary for Legal Protection of the Netherlands, has introduced a proposal to increase the Dutch age limit for high-risk forms of gambling in the country to 21.
The plans to increase the age limit to 21, which were also detailed in an official letter to the Tweede Kamer, are part of a broader nationwide commitment to redefine and improve gambling regulations amid ongoing concerns regarding the effectiveness of current laws and gambling addiction.
According to Struycken, the goal is to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the consequences of such a drastic change in policy and, consequently, present a new formal legislation by early 2026.
Increasing the age limit for high-risk gambling entertainment is just part of the recent attempts of the Dutch government to improve its gambling policy, as the government also is preparing to introduce new mandatory gambling limits that will apply to all operators.
This is because the Dutch government wants to prevent players from reaching their limits with one operator only to continue to gamble on a different online gaming platform. From here, players will only be able to exceed these limits if they are able to prove that it won’t have a negative impact on their finances.
Furthermore, the Kansspelautoriteit, the Dutch Gambling Authority, will also have its jurisdiction broadened, and as a result, it will be able to work with banks and internet providers to block access to illegal operators, restrict websites, and suspend gambling licences of operators who break the law.
Struycken said:
Far too many groups are playing far too risky games, and far too many have already ended up in addiction care.”
Yet, according to the Dutch Online Gambling Association (NOGA) and Director Eric Konings, by increasing the gambling limit age to 21 the government risks pushing younger players and young adults toward playing at unlicensed gambling websites.
Especially since one study conducted by the Kansspelautoriteit estimates that half of all gambling activity in the country is done illegally.
