Dutch regulator announces €2m in funding for Early Detection of Gambling Harm Partnership
The subsidy will be financed by the levy on regulated gambling providers in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands.- The Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has announced that it will provide nearly €2m in funding for a new national Early Detection of Gambling Harm Partnership in the Netherlands. Named SVSG for its initials in Dutch, the initiative aims to identify gambling harm earlier and prevent further problems.
The approach will be based on that of the Early Detection of Alcohol Problems Partnership (SVA), which was established in 2019. The KSA said this project had demonstrated the effectiveness of such a national approach.
Members of the partnership include the Trimbos Institute, the Dutch Association of Addiction Specialists (VKN), the Municipal Health Service (GGD GHOR Netherlands), and the Dutch Debt Assistance Route (NSR). These are already working with addiction treatment institutions, municipalities and peer support groups, but the grant is intended to enable the organisations to collaborate on a more effective and well-organised approach.
Pilot projects
In early 2026, pilot programmes will be launched in five municipalities, where local core teams, regional Attention Officers from VKN, and project leaders from the NSR will collaborate to identify and refer gambling problems early on. During this phase, existing materials and training programmes will be inventoried and, where necessary, supplemented with new knowledge and interventions.
In addition, professionals will receive training and will learn how to recognise signs and refer clients. An online environment will also be established to share knowledge and experiences nationwide. Starting in 2027, this approach will be scaled up to at least fifteen municipalities.
The subsidy will be provided by the Addiction Prevention Fund, which is financed by a levy on regulated gambling providers in the Netherlands.
The KSA notes that approximately 209,000 people in the Netherlands are estimated to be at high risk of gambling addiction, but only a small percentage of them seek treatment. The initiative is intended to change that.
The regulator said: “Gambling problems are often diagnosed late and are associated with financial problems, mental health issues, and other harms. People often experience shame and are unsure where to find help. However, providing help sooner can actually limit the harm and increase the chance of recovery.”
It added: “By addressing this at a broader level and bringing together relevant parties in the fields of social services, debt, and social services, steps can be taken to change this. A partnership enables organisations to collaborate more effectively, share knowledge, and provide professionals with a common working method.
KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen said: “Many organisations have been working hard for years to reduce gambling harm, but often in isolation. With this partnership, we permanently bring together knowledge, healthcare, debt counseling, and local partners. This makes it easier to find help, and players can get the support they need more quickly. This is an important step towards better consumer protection.”
Earlier this week, KSA announced a €4m fine against Unibet operator Optdeck Service Limited for failing to comply with its duty of care. Meanwhile, the regulator recently published its 2025 market scan, providing an updated view of the performance of regulated gaming in the Netherlands. It reports that gross gambling revenue in the Dutch market remained level year-on-year at €4.3bn in 2024.
