Netherlands launches new five-year push against gambling harm: KSA and ZonMw invest €21 million in research and care
The Netherlands is strengthening its national strategy to prevent gambling-related harm with a five-year programme that puts independent research, early diagnosis and effective treatments at its core. The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, and ZonMw, the public organisation for health research and innovation, have confirmed an investment of €21 million (about $24 million) for 2025–2030, with the goal of measurably reducing gambling harm and reinforcing prevention networks nationwide.
A public, independent and stable framework
Funding comes from the National Fund for the Prevention of Addictions (Verslavingspreventiefonds), financed by a dedicated levy on gambling operators and administered by the KSA. The operational management of calls for proposals is entrusted to ZonMw, which coordinates universities, clinical centres, community services and organisations of people with lived experience. The programme is designed to guarantee scientific independence, transparent allocation criteria and, crucially, the rapid translation of findings into clinical practice and public policy.
Priorities 2025–2030: from early diagnosis to evidence-based care
The new cycle aims to strengthen the entire continuum from prevention to care. The first strand focuses on early identification of risk factors, developing screening tools capable of detecting the leading signs of gambling addiction. The second targets improved treatment practices, with integrated protocols spanning mental health, addiction services and social care. A third pillar examines player vulnerability and behaviour, including comorbidities, family impact and digital dynamics. The fourth area promotes participation by people with lived experience, so that research and interventions are steered by what works on the ground. Finally, the programme will build a national knowledge infrastructure-a hub aggregating data, standards and tools for clinicians, practitioners, schools and policymakers.
Governance and key messages: player protection at the centre
At the programme’s official launch, Michel Groothuizen, chair of the KSA, stressed that player protection is a non-negotiable regulatory priority and that further investment in knowledge is essential to reduce harm. Véronique Timmerhuis, director-general of ZonMw, described gambling addiction as an urgent social challenge requiring coordinated, evidence-based responses. The two institutions operate in synergy: the KSA provides the regulatory framework and funding through the dedicated fund; ZonMw translates objectives into calls, projects and impact evaluations, ensuring research becomes concrete interventions.
From research to practice: thematic consortia and implementation
To prevent results from remaining confined to academic journals, KSA and ZonMw are prioritising multidisciplinary thematic consortia. The aim is to move from isolated projects to ecosystems of research and practice capable of field-testing new prevention tools, care models and integrated treatment pathways. This approach fosters scalability: what works in a pilot setting is standardised, measured and then rolled out nationally, with shared outcome indicators and continuous monitoring.
Evidence on the way: continuity with projects already underway
The five-year programme builds on an existing body of work. Several projects launched in the initial phase have been presented at international scientific conferences, focusing on risk indicators, digital monitoring tools, links with mental health and personalised care pathways. First measurable results on intervention effectiveness and cost-benefit are expected over the coming year, underscoring an agenda that extends beyond producing knowledge to changing practice within services and communities.
Clear rules in sport: the Zandvoort case
Dutch determination to prevent gambling harm is also evident in professional sport. In line with the national framework on gambling marketing, the KSA has clarified that at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, sponsorships or advertising by gambling operators not compliant with domestic rules are not permitted. The message is straightforward: protection also depends on controlling commercial visibility, especially at events with strong appeal among younger audiences.
Why this programme matters for the industry
For licensed operators, the KSA–ZonMw programme sets a clear horizon: compliance, user protection and collaboration with research are not costs but long-term investments. A credible regulatory ecosystem, combined with well-funded prevention and care pathways, increases the sustainability of the regulated market and narrows the space for unlicensed offerings. For European policymakers, the Dutch model offers a transparent laboratory: an industry-funded pot, public governance, competitive calls, outcome measurement and the systematic translation of evidence into policy.
With €21 million earmarked for research, prevention and care between 2025 and 2030, the Netherlands is consolidating an approach that puts scientific evidence first. The collaboration between KSA and ZonMw is more than an institutional exercise: it is a commitment to turn data and studies into early diagnosis, effective treatments and smarter policies. It is a strong signal to the sector that sustainable growth in the gambling industry hinges on harm reduction, player protection, and responsible innovation.
This article was first published in Italian on 4 September 2025.
All roads lead to Rome, 03–06 November 2025. SiGMA Central Europe takes centre stage at the Fiera Roma, uniting 30,000 delegates, 1,200 exhibitors, and 700+ speakers. This is where legacies are built, and the future takes shape. Connect with the innovators’ driving change.
