Dutch Health Body Pushes for a Full Online Gambling Advertising Ban

The Dutch Association of Mental Health and Addiction Care, known as De Nederlandse ggz, is calling for a comprehensive ban on online gambling advertisements in the Netherlands. This move, aimed at protecting young people and vulnerable individuals, builds on existing regulations that already prohibit celebrities from participating in gambling ads due to their strong appeal to younger audiences.

Health Concerns Over Online Gambling Advertising

Chairwoman Ruth Peetoom emphasised the urgency of stricter laws, stating, "It's crucial to impose a general advertising ban on online gambling. Young people are currently too easily exposed to addiction risks." Peetoom voiced concern over gambling ads on platforms like Snapchat and TikTok, where companies promote "free money" schemes that exploit young people's susceptibility to the lure of fast cash and influential role models. She likened the tactics used by gambling companies to those of the tobacco industry, warning that the normalization of gambling among youth could lead to increased cases of gambling addiction later in life.

The Netherlands already enforces measures to limit gambling ads targeting young people, but De Nederlandse ggz believes these are insufficient, as gambling companies continue pushing the boundaries to reach younger audiences. Recent data shows a growing number of people in the Netherlands seeking help for gambling addiction, with 2,456 cases recorded in 2023 alone.

Broader Industry Implications and Additional Stance

While Holland Casino advocates for a gradual increase in taxes on gambling, this proposal for a blanket advertising ban has sparked wider debate about responsible gambling practices.

In line with these concerns, we stand firmly against gambling advertising and oppose online casino streaming. These forms of media only deepen exposure to gambling's risks and can normalise gambling behaviours, particularly among younger viewers.