Netherlands Commits €21m to Gambling Harm Prevention Research

An independent government body in the Netherlands has been awarded €21m to fund research into the prevention and treatment of gambling-related harms.

The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), confirmed that the investment will support ZonMw with “knowledge development, implementation and a stronger infrastructure.”

ZonMw, a partnership between Care Research Netherlands and the Medical Sciences domain of the Dutch Research Council, will oversee the programme. Its focus will be on improving prevention and treatment of gambling addiction through independent research.

The new phase of the programme was launched by KSA chair Michel Groothuizen and ZonMw director-general Véronique Timmerhuis.

Timmerhuis said:

“It is good that this program focused on gambling addiction is being continued. There is still much knowledge to be developed to arrive at effective approaches and ensure they are well integrated into practice. ZonMw can also contribute expertise from other mental health domains and play a strong connecting role. Step by step, we are working on building knowledge to better support people with an addiction in the future.”

Groothuizen added:

“The protection of players is a key priority for the KSA. By continuing this program, we are joining forces to gather the necessary knowledge on this topic, so that we can prevent gambling harm as much as possible.”

Research will centre around five areas: vulnerable players, game features and playing behaviour; prediction, risk factors, early detection and prevention; and diagnostics, intervention and treatment.

Lived experience will also inform the programme, alongside knowledge-sharing across the wider mental health and gambling sectors.

Funding will be drawn from the Addiction Prevention Fund, financed by a levy on gambling operators and managed by the KSA.

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