New Regulatory Research Highlights Early Exposure, Normalization, and Account Creation Trends Among 18-Year-Olds
The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has published the findings of three new studies offering detailed insights into the gambling habits and exposure of minors and young adults. The research specifically examines the behavior of young adults aged 18 to 24 during their first three months with a licensed provider, analyzes participation trends among vocational (MBO) students, and investigates how minors initially encounter gambling.
The findings indicate that gambling has become heavily normalized within society, with many children encountering legal gambling products indirectly at an early age through family, friends, or physical retail environments.
Key Findings Across the Three Studies
- Young Adult Account Creation: Analysis of new online accounts within the 18 to 24 demographic revealed that 41% of accounts are created precisely on or shortly after an individual turns 18. Contrary to previous assumptions that sports betting serves as the primary gateway, the latest data shows that most young adults start with online casino games, though they wager the lowest average amounts overall.
- Early Exposure and Social Context: Qualitative research conducted by Youngworks highlights that minors frequently come into contact with legal gambling products—such as scratch cards bought by parents or shared accounts with older peers—viewing these activities as harmless group socialization. However, young people generally recognize gambling alone or engaging with illegal platforms as warning signs of potential problem behavior.
- Vocational (MBO) Student Participation: While 68% of MBO students report no gambling activity, 28% of minor students stated they had gambled within the past year. Physical offerings such as scratch cards, bingo, and slot machines remain the most common formats among this cohort.
Regulatory Response and Future Safeguards
The KSA emphasizes that early exposure and social normalization make the transition to online gambling seamless once individuals reach legal age. In response to these findings, the regulator is collaborating with the Ministry, partly under the multi-year agenda for Protection against Gambling Harm, to evaluate additional measures and strengthen consumer protection for young people.
