Increase in Gambling Treatment Cases in the Netherlands

(AsiaGameHub) –   In 2025, gambling was the sole category to experience a substantial increase in the demand for treatment.

The Netherlands.- Reports indicate that the Netherlands experienced another marked increase in individuals seeking treatment for gambling addiction over the past year. The number of cases rose by 13 per cent compared to the previous year, reaching 3,108, compared to 2,750 in 2024.

According to the statistics, this growth was almost exclusively fueled by online gambling. The information was provided by LADIS, the national monitoring body for specialized addiction services, and released by the healthcare data foundation IVZ.

Gambling was the only type of addiction to record a significant surge in treatment requests. In total, specialized services reporting to the monitor provided care to nearly 68,000 individuals for addiction in 2025, a figure that remains virtually stable compared to the year prior. Alcohol continued to be the primary addiction, representing 43 per cent of all cases, a figure that climbed to 60 per cent for those aged 55 and older. Among those under 25, cannabis was the most prevalent issue.

Approximately half of the individuals pursuing assistance for gambling were new patients, which indicates a rise in the number of people developing gambling-related issues rather than a relapse among those previously treated.

This upward trajectory persists, following a trend that emerged in 2023 after a multi-year decline between 2019 and 2022. Although the number of clinics participating in the LADIS network has grown, this factor does not fully explain the increase. The report notes that the rise was also observed among service providers that have consistently submitted data since 2016.

The LADIS figures are limited to those receiving specialized treatment and do not reflect the broader population. Furthermore, not every service provider submits data to LADIS.

The Dutch online gambling market has been regulated since October 2021. The initial period following the market’s opening prompted concerns regarding the volume of gambling advertisements. However, regulations have since been substantially strengthened, including a 2023 prohibition on untargeted gambling commercials and a ban on sports-related gambling sponsorships that took effect last year. Additionally, the nation has implemented player loss limits, with standard monthly caps set at €350 for those over 24 and €150 for those under 24, though players may apply for higher limits.

Since its inception alongside the regulated online sector, more than 100,000 individuals have registered with Cruks, the national self-exclusion database for gambling.