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Netherlands Intensifies Five-Year Campaign Against Gambling Harm: KSA and ZonMw Allocate €21 Million for Research and Support

The Dutch government revitalizes its 2025-2030 plan, allocating €21 million to strengthen gambling addiction prevention, early identification, and treatment efforts.

Dutch authorities launch a five-year initiative combating gambling harm: KSA and ZonMw allocate €21...
Dutch authorities launch a five-year initiative combating gambling harm: KSA and ZonMw allocate €21 million towards research and support services

Netherlands Intensifies Five-Year Campaign Against Gambling Harm: KSA and ZonMw Allocate €21 Million for Research and Support

The Netherlands has announced a five-year national strategy to address gambling-related harm, with a budget of €21 million. The strategy, funded by a levy on gambling operators, is a collaborative effort between the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) and ZonMw, two key institutions in the Dutch gaming sector.

The strategy is multifaceted, focusing on independent research, early diagnosis, and effective treatments. The first strand aims to develop screening tools for the early identification of gambling addiction risk factors. The second strand targets improved treatment practices, with integrated protocols spanning mental health, addiction services, and social care.

The fourth area of the strategy promotes participation by people with lived experience in research and interventions. This approach prioritizes scientific evidence and aims to increase the sustainability of the regulated market.

The programme also seeks to build a national knowledge infrastructure, a hub aggregating data, standards, and tools for clinicians, practitioners, schools, and policymakers. This comprehensive approach is a strong signal to the sector that sustainable growth in the gambling industry hinges on harm reduction, player protection, and responsible innovation.

The Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort is subject to the national framework on gambling marketing. The KSA has clarified that gambling operators not compliant with domestic rules are not permitted at the event. This clarification emphasizes the importance of controlling commercial visibility, especially at events with strong appeal among younger audiences.

The collaboration between KSA and ZonMw is a commitment to turn data and studies into early diagnosis, effective treatments, and smarter policies. The strategy prioritizes multidisciplinary thematic consortia to move from isolated projects to ecosystems of research and practice.

The Dutch approach, with an industry-funded pot, public governance, competitive calls, outcome measurement, and the systematic translation of evidence into policy, is seen as a transparent laboratory for European policymakers. The KSA-ZonMw programme sets a clear horizon for licensed operators, emphasizing compliance, user protection, and collaboration with research as long-term investments.

This article was first published in Italian on 4 September 2025. However, the search results do not provide specific information about the institutions involved in managing the National Fund for Addiction Prevention or details about the budget management for 2025-2030.

The third pillar of the strategy examines player vulnerability and behavior, including comorbidities, family impact, and digital dynamics. The strategy prioritizes understanding these factors to develop more effective interventions and policies.

In summary, the Netherlands' five-year strategy aims to combat gambling-related harm by focusing on research, prevention, and care, with a budget of €21 million. The strategy is a collaborative effort between KSA and ZonMw and prioritizes scientific evidence, multidisciplinary research, and player protection.

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