The rise of online casinos has transformed the gambling industry worldwide, and the Netherlands is no exception. With the legalization of online gambling in 2021 through the Remote Gambling Act (KOA), the accessibility of gambling has increased exponentially. While this brings economic benefits, such as tax revenues, it also brings social challenges, including gambling addiction, financial problems and social isolation. This article examines the social impact of online casinos in the Netherlands, with a focus on the Rotterdam region, and analyses the impact on individuals, communities and society, supported by recent research and policy measures.
Achtergrond van Online Gokken in Nederland
De legalisering van online kansspelen markeerde een keerpunt in de Nederlandse gokmarkt, met als doel spelers te beschermen en illegale aanbieders terug te dringen. Rotterdam, als een diverse en dichtbevolkte stad, biedt een representatieve casestudy voor de sociale effecten van deze ontwikkeling. Platforms zoals favbet bonus spelen hierbij een cruciale rol door verantwoord en transparant gokken aan te bieden, wat bijdraagt aan een veiliger en betrouwbaardere ervaring voor gebruikers uit alle lagen van de bevolking.
Remote Gambling Act
Since October 2021, the KOA Act has regulated the online gambling market, with strict requirements such as licensing by the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) and the introduction of the Central Register for Exclusion from Gambling (CRUKS). In Rotterdam, where both physical casinos such as Holland Casino and online platforms are active, this law has led to an increase in legal gambling accounts, with more than 2.1 million accounts nationwide in 2023. Rotterdam players are contributing to this, with an estimated 17% of young adults (18-24 years) gambling online in 2023.
Economic Context in Rotterdam
Rotterdam, with its port industry and diverse population, has a mix of affluent and socio-economically vulnerable neighborhoods. The city generates significant tax revenues from gambling, with €486 million in wagers in 2022, part of which flows through gambling taxes to local projects such as infrastructure and social programs. However, the accessibility of online casinos, often promoted via social media, particularly affects vulnerable groups such as young people and low-income groups, who are overrepresented in neighborhoods such as Rotterdam-Zuid. Social Impact on Individuals Online casinos have direct impacts on the well-being of individuals, particularly financially, psychologically and socially, with Rotterdam trends reflecting national issues. Financial Problems and Debt The low entry threshold of online casinos, with bonuses and microtransactions, encourages impulsive gambling. In Rotterdam, addiction clinics report an increase in young gamblers with debts, with 20% of problem gamblers under the age of 25 in 2023. On average, Dutch players lose €153 per month, but in disadvantaged neighbourhoods such as Feijenoord this can lead to acute financial problems, jeopardising basic needs such as rent and food.Mental Health Gambling addiction in Rotterdam is increasingly linked to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and stress.
The Trimbos Institute reports that 12% of problem gamblers in the Netherlands experience mental health problems, and in Rotterdam, where access to mental health care is sometimes limited, these problems are worsening. The constant availability of online casinos, accessible via smartphones, increases compulsive behaviour, especially at night when supervision is minimal. Impact on Communities The spread of online gambling has wider implications for Rotterdam communities, with effects on social cohesion and local economies. Social Isolation Online gambling, often a solitary activity, contributes to social isolation, especially among young people in Rotterdam. Unlike land-based casinos, where social interaction takes place, online gambling increases loneliness, especially in neighbourhoods with limited social infrastructure. Studies show that 15% of Rotterdam problem gamblers have less contact with friends and family, which weakens community ties.Exposure to gambling ads on social media, such as Instagram and TikTok, normalizes gambling among Rotterdam youth. In 2023, 30% of 18- to 24-year-olds saw gambling ads every week, reinforcing the idea that gambling is an innocent form of entertainment. This leads to an increased risk of addiction, especially among boys who play games such as online poker, as confirmed by research from the Canadian CAMH.
Policies and Interventions
To limit the social impact, Rotterdam is implementing various measures in line with national policy, although their effectiveness varies.
CRUKS and Duty of Care
The CRUKS register, which allows players to exclude themselves or third parties from gambling, is a core component of the KOA. Approximately 10,000 people in Rotterdam use CRUKS, but critics point to shortcomings, such as the option to deregister after six months, even in the event of a longer desired exclusion. In addition, the KSA obliges casinos to have a duty of care, such as real-time monitoring of gaming behavior. However, a KSA report from 2023 showed that many Rotterdam providers, including big names, do not intervene sufficiently in excessive gambling, especially at night.
Local Initiatives in Rotterdam
Rotterdam invests in prevention through information campaigns in schools and community centres, targeting young people in vulnerable neighbourhoods. Programmes such as “Grip op Gambling” teach young people about financial responsibility and gambling risks, reaching 5,000 teenagers by 2024. In addition, the municipality works with the Hague Economic Intervention Team (HEIT) to tackle illegal gambling practices, making the local gambling market safer.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Tackling social impacts faces obstacles. The costs of technological solutions, such as AI monitoring, are high, especially for smaller casinos. In addition, enforcement of advertising bans remains difficult due to international platforms that reach Dutch youth. Stigmatization of gambling addiction discourages help-seeking behavior, with only 10% of problem gamblers in Rotterdam seeking treatment. In the future, AI can predict risk behavior more accurately, while virtual reality (VR) can provide educational programs to make young people aware of gambling risks. Stricter EU regulations are likely to raise standards for online casinos, with Rotterdam leading the way in local implementation. Collaborations between the municipality, KSA and addiction care can serve as a model for other cities.
Conclusion
The spread of online casinos in the Netherlands, with Rotterdam as a case study, brings both economic benefits and social challenges. Financial problems, mental health issues and social isolation particularly affect vulnerable groups, such as young people in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Although policy measures such as CRUKS and local prevention programmes are taking steps in the right direction, gaps in duty of care and advertising restrictions remain. Through stricter regulation, technological innovations and community-based initiatives, Rotterdam can limit the negative social impacts, while retaining the benefits of a regulated gambling market. The future calls for a balanced approach, with the city creating a safe and inclusive environment, as dynamic and resilient as its own port.
