Over half of Dutch players support means-tested financial limits
Summary
Arno Rutte, the Netherlands’ new secretary of state for legal protection, submitted four studies to parliament on 17 December to underpin planned gambling reforms. The reports examine player activity, mandatory limits, advertising and the quality of industry research. Rutte intends to fold the findings into revisions to the remote gambling law, including proposals for means-tested deposit limits, an overarching deposit cap and tighter advertising rules aimed at reducing the appeal of online gambling.
The studies find growing public support for mandatory limits (82% of 1,507 respondents), but resistance to means-tested measures that require sharing financial details (42% concerned about privacy). Other notable findings: 69% of people aged 16+ gambled at least once in the past year; online play has risen to 12% overall and to 20% among 16–17 year-olds; many players still see gambling ads despite a broad ad ban; and current research data collection is hampered by legal, technical and co‑operation barriers.
Key Points
- Support for mandatory player limits rose to 82% (from 76% in 2023) among surveyed players.
- Means-tested limits (sharing financial details to set higher caps) are unpopular: 42% cite privacy concerns.
- 55% of players believe checking financial information could help prevent gambling problems.
- 58% support an umbrella deposit limit and 67% think it could help prevent harm, though high‑risk players are less supportive.
- More players set optional loss limits in 2024; 71% did not change their initial limits and 57% did not hit any limits in the past year.
- 69% of people (16+) gambled at least once in the past year; online participation rose to 12%, with 16–17 year‑olds up to 20%.
- One quarter of gamblers are unsure whether the sites they use are licensed; awareness of iGaming risks is generally low.
- Players still frequently see gambling ads despite bans; warnings in adverts are often viewed as ineffective.
- Research methods are inadequate due to limited, non‑standardised operator data, GDPR constraints and reliance on voluntary cooperation.
- Proposed fixes include stronger KSA involvement, a decentralised safe data‑sharing platform and a central intermediary to facilitate information flow.
Context and relevance
The reports arrive as the Dutch government prepares a major revision of remote gambling legislation, promised previously and now being advanced under Rutte. Findings directly inform potential policy tools — from deposit caps and means‑tested checks to stricter advertising bans — that would reshape operator obligations, player protections and compliance requirements in the Netherlands. The youth uptake of online play and widespread uncertainty about site licensing are particularly relevant for enforcement and age‑restriction strategies.
Why should I read this?
Because this is where the rules will come from. If you work in compliance, regulation, operator strategy or player protection in the Netherlands (or market neighbouring countries), these studies flag the exact pain points policymakers are targeting: deposit limits, privacy pushback, ad exposure and flaky data collection. Short version — read it now if you want to know what regulators will ask for next.
Author style
Punchy — the piece highlights headline stats and direct policy implications. Given the topic’s potential to change operator obligations and player protection rules, the tone stresses the importance of reading the detail rather than skimming.
Source
Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/new-studies-shape-gambling-reform-netherlands/