The Dutch gambling regulator has published three studies examining gambling among minors and young adults. The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) found that 41% of new accounts opened by 18–24-year-olds belong to players aged 18.

• Many 18-year-olds open an online gambling account on or shortly after their birthday. While previous Ksa research suggested sports betting can be an entry point to other gambling products, the latest study found most young adults initially choose casino games. Eighteen-year-olds nevertheless wager the least on average.
• Some minors gain access to gambling through parents, older friends or relatives. Examples include parents buying scratchcards and adults sharing online gambling accounts. Gambling with friends, including poker and sports betting, also plays a role.
• Among underage MBO vocational students, 28% said they had gambled during the previous year. Scratchcards, bingo and gaming machines were the most common products, with most participation involving land-based gambling. Overall, 68% of MBO students said they did not gamble.
• The Ksa said the studies show that gambling is becoming normalised for some young people and can enter their social environment at an early age. The regulator will assess whether additional measures are needed to protect minors and young adults as part of its wider gambling-harm prevention work.

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