Three new studies commissioned and analyzed by the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) have provided a detailed look at how young people encounter gambling, how they behave once they reach legal gambling age and the extent of gambling participation among minors.

The research covers different stages of the youth gambling journey, from childhood exposure to gambling products through to the first months of legal online gambling activity. According to the Dutch regulator, the findings will help shape future measures designed to reduce gambling-related harm among minors and young adults.

One of the studies examined newly opened online gambling accounts belonging to consumers aged 18 to 24. Another focused on gambling participation among vocational college students, while a third explored how young people first become familiar with gambling and how those experiences develop over time.

The combined findings suggest that gambling is widely present in the social environments of many young people and that exposure often begins years before they are legally allowed to participate.

Large Share of New Accounts Belong to 18-Year-Olds

The KSA analyzed 15,761 newly opened online gambling accounts in the Netherlands that recorded betting activity in May 2025 and tracked activity during the following three months.

Of those accounts, 5,244 belonged to people aged between 18 and 24. Within that group, 2,144 accounts, representing 41%, were opened by 18-year-olds. The regulator found that 11% of those accounts were created on the user’s eighteenth birthday, while 38% were opened within one month of reaching the legal gambling age.

Researchers also reviewed an earlier theory suggesting that young adults frequently move from sports betting into online casino gaming. The latest data did not support a clear progression between the two products.

Among players who started with casino games only, 97% continued using casino products in the following month. For those who initially used sports betting exclusively, 80% remained focused on betting. Players who used both products in their first month showed more variation, with 57% changing their product mix during the following month. Of those who switched, 73% moved toward casino-only gambling.

The account analysis also showed differences in gambling frequency. During their first three months, 18-year-olds gambled on average 12 days per month, compared with 10 days per month among users aged 19 to 24. At the same time, separate findings indicated that 18-year-olds generally wagered lower median amounts than older young adults.

The study also found that online casino games were considerably more popular than sports betting among new young adult customers. According to the KSA’s analysis, 72% of accounts initially engaged only with casino products, while 11% focused solely on sports betting.

Underage Gambling Remains a Concern

A separate study examined responses from 29,724 students aged 15 and older, including participants from the Dutch MBO vocational education system.

While 68% of students reported that they did not gamble at all, the findings showed that underage gambling remains widespread. Among respondents aged 15 to 17, 28% said they had gambled during the previous 12 months despite gambling being prohibited for minors. Among respondents aged 18 and over, the figure rose to 39%.

Across all surveyed students, 32% reported gambling at least once during the previous year, including lottery participation.

Researchers also identified significant engagement with higher-risk gambling products. Among underage students who gambled, 51% participated in at least one of three categories considered to present the highest risk of gambling harm: casino games, sports betting or gaming machines. Among young adults who gambled, that proportion increased to 65%.

Scratchcards were the most frequently used gambling product among underage participants, with 46% reporting use. Bingo followed at 34%, while gaming machines accounted for 28%. Among legal-age young adults, casino games ranked first at 46%, followed by scratchcards at 35% and sports betting at 32%.

The research highlighted differences between online and land-based gambling participation. Around 78% of underage students who gambled exclusively online had used at least one of the higher-risk gambling products. Among those who only gambled through physical venues or retail channels, the figure was 34%.

Early Exposure Often Starts Through Family and Friends

The third study, conducted by YoungWorks on behalf of the KSA, explored how young people first encounter gambling before reaching adulthood.

Researchers surveyed 50 individuals aged 16 to 21 and conducted in-depth interviews with 24 participants aged 18 and older. The findings suggest that exposure to gambling frequently begins between the ages of eight and twelve, often through legal gambling products introduced by adults in a young person’s social circle.

Participants described receiving scratchcards, taking part in betting-related activities with friends or joining informal games at home. As they moved into their early teenage years, gambling often became a group activity connected to social interaction.

The study found that some minors gained access to online gambling by using accounts belonging to parents, siblings or older friends. Several respondents said gambling activities were often viewed as harmless entertainment rather than gambling itself, particularly when taking place within family or friendship groups.

Researchers also noted that some parents contributed to the normalization of gambling by purchasing products, covering stakes or allowing access to their accounts.

At the same time, the study identified certain behaviors that young people themselves associated with gambling-related problems. Many participants viewed gambling alone or using illegal gambling websites as warning signs of potentially harmful behavior.

The KSA believes the studies provide important insights into how gambling becomes part of young people’s lives and how behavior develops once they reach adulthood. Summarizing the findings, the KSA concluded: “In the coming months, the KSA will continue to work to see what additional measures are needed to better protect young people. This is already being worked on together with the government.”