The Netherlands government is weighing a number of measures to safeguard citizens from the risks associated with online gambling, including increasing the age limit to 21 years on some games.
Teun Struycken, minister for legal protection in the Netherlands, recently proposed various changes during his address to the Dutch parliament, the most striking one of which was raising the minimum age for slots and other “risky” games of chance to 21. Struycken also suggested mandatory deposit limits, as well as stricter curbs on gambling advertising.
Struycken said a bill to update the regulations would be finalised by the end of 2025. He felt more steps need to be taken to prevent young adults from falling prey to problem gambling. “For me, the most important starting point is protecting all citizens from gambling-related harm,” Struycken said in his address. “In doing so, I go beyond preventing addiction and also look at other harm that participation in gambling can cause, such as debts.
“It is necessary to protect all people, especially those who have not yet come into contact with gambling or who have stopped gambling. In doing so, I focus in particular on minors and young adults.”
This is reportedly not Struycken’s first attempt to bring about changes. An Esports Insider report stated that a government review in November 2024 pointed out that a bill previously backed by Struycken “failed” to protect players.
However, the Netherlands Gambling Authority has already taken steps to curb any worries. These include deposit limits, which are set at the equivalent of 325 US dollars for players aged 18 to 24, and around 733 US dollars for players 24 and older. Betting companies also must be notified before players can set specific deposit limits.
