Dutch regulator launches gambling awareness push for families and young adults

The twin campaigns aim to encourage earlier conversations about gambling and greater use of self-exclusion tools.

Key takeaways:

• The KSA will launch two public awareness campaigns in early November focused on gambling-related harm prevention.
• OpenOverGokken encourages parents to discuss gambling with young people aged 16 to 25 before problems develop.
• The campaign builds on the OpenOverGokken.nl platform launched in 2025.
• A new Gambling Stop campaign targets young adults experiencing gambling-related difficulties and promotes self-exclusion.
• The initiative uses the slogan “Every moment is a Gambling Stop moment” to emphasise that people can choose to stop gambling at any time.

The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), will launch two new public awareness campaigns in early November designed to promote open conversations about gambling and increase awareness of self-exclusion support. One initiative targets parents and young people, while the other focuses on helping those experiencing gambling-related difficulties take the first step towards seeking support through Gambling Stop.

The Netherlands.- The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), is to launch two new public awareness campaigns in early November aimed at encouraging more open discussions about gambling and gambling-related harm, while also increasing awareness of the country’s Gambling Stop programme.

One initiative, OpenOverGokken, is designed to encourage parents to speak with their children about gambling before problems emerge. The second campaign, Gambling Stop, focuses on helping young adults experiencing gambling-related difficulties take the first step towards self-exclusion. Both campaigns centre on the message that seeking help or starting a conversation about gambling need not be difficult.

The first campaign targets parents of teenagers and young adults aged between 16 and 25, reflecting concerns that young people increasingly encounter gambling-related content through social media, online videos, advertising and gaming environments. The KSA said many parents may be unaware of how frequently their children are exposed to gambling-related messages or may feel uncertain about how to begin conversations on the subject.

Young people feature prominently in the campaign, in which they share their experiences of discussing issues such as sex and personal safety with their parents while asking why gambling is less frequently addressed. Through the message, “Talk to your child about gambling in time too”, the campaign encourages families to raise the topic even when there are no immediate signs of concern.

The initiative builds on the launch of the website OpenOverGokken.nl in 2025. The independent platform provides information on online and land-based gambling, alongside practical guidance intended to help parents and young people start conversations about gambling-related risks.

Alongside prevention efforts, the KSA said it remains important that people already experiencing gambling-related harm seek support as early as possible. For that reason, the regulator is introducing a new Gambling Stop campaign aimed primarily at young adults who are struggling with gambling or are considered at greater risk of developing gambling-related problems. The campaign also highlights the role that friends and family can play in encouraging someone to seek help.

Running under the slogan “Every moment is a Gambling Stop moment”, the campaign seeks to show that people do not need to wait for a major life event before deciding to stop gambling. Instead, the decision can be made during ordinary day-to-day moments.

While previous Gambling Stop campaigns focused largely on the benefits people could experience after self-excluding from gambling, the latest initiative places greater emphasis on the moment an individual chooses to take action. Using everyday scenarios, the regulator aims to make the decision to stop gambling feel more accessible. The campaign also highlights potential benefits associated with taking that step, including greater peace of mind, relief and more space for other aspects of daily life.

The KSA recently published its annual report, which shows that the Dutch regulated online gambling market increased its share of total gambling revenue in 2025. However, the regulator warned that player losses, youth participation, and gambling-related harm indicators remain areas of concern. Licensed operators captured around 59 per cent of estimated total gross gaming yield in the Netherlands in 2025, up from 54 per cent in 2024.

The improvement suggests a greater proportion of gambling activity is taking place within the regulated market. The regulator also reported continued growth in the number of active gambling accounts during the first half of 2026. At one point, the number of active accounts exceeded 500,000, while the monthly average stood at roughly 490,000.

FAQs

What is the KSA’s OpenOverGokken campaign?

OpenOverGokken is a public awareness campaign that encourages parents to discuss gambling with young people aged 16 to 25. It aims to help families address the topic before gambling-related problems emerge.

Why is the KSA targeting parents in its new campaign?

The regulator says young people are increasingly exposed to gambling-related content through social media, online videos, advertising and gaming environments, while some parents may be unsure how to start conversations about gambling.

What is Gambling Stop in the Netherlands?

Gambling Stop is a self-exclusion programme highlighted by the KSA’s new campaign. It is aimed particularly at young adults experiencing gambling-related difficulties and encourages them to take action and seek support.

What does the slogan ‘Every moment is a Gambling Stop moment’ mean?

The campaign is designed to show that people do not need to wait for a major life event before deciding to stop gambling. It promotes the idea that self-exclusion can begin at any point in everyday life.