New KSA projects aim to prevent gambling problems

The Netherlands’ primary regulatory body for the gaming sector, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has reaffirmed its commitment to public health and safety by continuing to fund four pivotal projects aimed at raising awareness of the risks associated with gambling. These initiatives, designed to address problem gambling through education and outreach, focus on a wide spectrum of demographic groups, including students, medical professionals, athletes, and individuals with cognitive or literacy challenges.

By allocating resources from the Addiction Prevention Fund (Verslavingspreventiefonds or VPF), KSA seeks to ensure that preventive education reaches those most vulnerable to gambling-related harm. The fund, introduced in 2021, is financed through a mandatory levy imposed on providers of high-risk gambling products, creating a sustainable financial base for such social interventions.

A strategic investment in public awareness

The renewed financial backing by KSA underlines a strategic, long-term vision to combat gambling addiction through education, digital tools, and support networks. The four funded initiatives reflect a tailored approach that acknowledges the unique needs of different social groups. Each project is operated by experienced organizations with expertise in mental health, education, sport, or accessibility.

Project 1: E-learning for healthcare and social work professionals

The first project to receive continued support is an advanced e-learning module developed by Jellinek, one of the Netherlands’ leading addiction treatment centers, in partnership with GGZ Ecademy, a digital learning platform for mental healthcare professionals.

This online training course is designed to equip general practitioners, psychologists, debt counselors, and other frontline workers with the tools they need to identify early signs of gambling addiction. The content emphasizes clinical symptoms, behavioral indicators, and intervention strategies, helping these professionals support at-risk individuals more effectively.

The initial rollout of the program was marked by a successful webinar that drew a large and diverse professional audience. With the renewed funding, efforts will now be directed toward expanding the program’s reach and increasing visibility within professional networks, healthcare institutions, and social service agencies.

Project 2: Gambling education in schools

The second initiative involves the enhancement of the “Helder op School” (Clear at School) program managed by the Trimbos Institute, a Dutch center for mental health and addiction prevention.

“Helder op School” already provides resources to help schools encourage healthy lifestyles and reduce risky behavior among students. The new funding will allow the Trimbos Institute to integrate gambling awareness into its broader curriculum on addiction and substance misuse.

Key components of the expanded program will include:

• Lesson plans and multimedia tools that explain the dangers of gambling in age-appropriate language
• Scripts for school staff to use during parent information evenings
• Training materials that equip teachers with the confidence and knowledge to address gambling risks in the classroom

The goal is to foster open dialogue among students, parents, and educators while cultivating critical thinking and responsible attitudes toward gambling at an early age.

Project 3: Outreach to professional football players

The third project supported by the KSA focuses on raising gambling awareness among Dutch professional footballers, particularly young players and academy prospects. This outreach initiative is being conducted by the Association of Contract Players (VVCS), the official union for professional footballers in the Netherlands.

Recognizing that young athletes may be particularly susceptible to gambling temptations—especially given their disposable income and high-stress environments—the VVCS will expand its existing player education programs to include new content focused on gambling prevention.

Planned components of this effort include:

• Promotion of the Gambling Stop service, which offers confidential help and self-exclusion options for problem gamblers
• Introduction of Gamban software, a digital tool that blocks access to online gambling platforms on personal devices
• Training of former professional players who have overcome gambling addiction to serve as peer mentors during club visits

This peer-to-peer model is expected to resonate with current players by offering relatable insights and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help.

Project 4: Accessible information for vulnerable populations

The fourth and final project aims to deliver clear, easy-to-understand information about gambling risks to individuals with low literacy skills or mild intellectual disabilities. This initiative is being led by Steffie.nl, a popular educational platform that simplifies complex topics through illustrated stories, audio narration, and interactive design.

With completion expected by autumn 2025, the project will consist of four key modules:

• What is gambling? – Explaining the basic concepts and types of gambling
• Addicted to gambling – Describing how addiction works and how it can impact individuals and families
• Self-test gambling – Offering a guided quiz to help users assess their behavior
• Identifying gambling activities – Guiding individuals to recognize gambling settings in digital and physical spaces

These modules will be presented using simplified language and intuitive visual cues, ensuring that the information is accessible and engaging to users regardless of reading level or cognitive ability.

A broad-based prevention strategy

By financing these diverse projects, the KSA demonstrates a firm commitment to a preventive strategy that reaches beyond traditional clinical settings. The goal is to normalize conversations around gambling risks and ensure that help is available long before addiction takes hold.

These efforts come at a time when online gambling continues to grow in popularity across Europe, raising concerns about increased exposure among vulnerable groups. Since legalizing online gambling in October 2021, the Netherlands has adopted a cautious strategy, pairing market openness with strong safeguards for player protection.

Collaboration and long-term vision

Each funded project reflects a collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders—including government regulators, NGOs, educators, healthcare professionals, and sports organizations. By working together, these actors can develop coherent, scalable, and evidence-based prevention strategies.

The KSA’s funding model through the Addiction Prevention Fund represents an innovative way of redistributing some of the profits from high-risk gambling toward harm reduction. In doing so, the authority ensures that prevention is not treated as an afterthought but as an integral part of gambling regulation.

Looking ahead

As these four projects unfold over the next two years, the KSA will likely evaluate their impact and identify opportunities for scaling successful elements to other regions or sectors. Public education, after all, is a continuous process—especially in a digital era where gambling platforms are increasingly sophisticated and accessible.

The renewed funding signals more than financial support; it affirms the Netherlands' commitment to a public health-oriented approach to gambling regulation. Whether through a school presentation, a digital module, or a football club visit, the message is clear: informed choices are the first line of defense against gambling harm.

Conclusion

The Dutch Gaming Authority’s decision to continue funding initiatives focused on gambling risk awareness highlights the increasing emphasis on prevention as a key tool in addressing problem gambling across the Netherlands. By leveraging the Addiction Prevention Fund, KSA is targeting a wide spectrum of society—from healthcare professionals and school-aged youth to professional athletes and vulnerable individuals with cognitive limitations. Each of the four funded initiatives is carefully tailored to the needs of specific demographics, ensuring the information is both relevant and accessible.

This multifaceted approach reflects a broader shift in regulatory philosophy, where responsible gambling is not merely about compliance but about proactive education, support, and empowerment. Whether through professional training, school-based prevention programs, peer-led interventions in sports, or simplified digital content, KSA’s initiatives aim to create a well-informed public that can recognize and respond to the dangers of gambling addiction.

As these projects evolve and expand, they serve as a model for how regulatory bodies can effectively collaborate with healthcare, education, and community sectors to safeguard public health. With the next phases of development, particularly the launch of the Steffie.nl modules in 2025, the Dutch regulatory landscape continues to lead by example in promoting responsible gambling and supporting those at risk.

FAQs

What is the Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA)?
The Dutch Gaming Authority, known as Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), is the national regulator responsible for overseeing gambling activities in the Netherlands, ensuring compliance with laws, and protecting consumers from gambling-related harm.

What is the Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF)?
The Addiction Prevention Fund is a state-managed fund established in 2021, financed by levies imposed on providers of high-risk gambling services. The fund is used to support projects aimed at preventing gambling addiction and raising public awareness.

What are the main objectives of the funded projects?
The primary goal is to raise awareness of gambling risks among different population groups through tailored information, training programs, and accessible resources, ultimately reducing gambling-related harm across Dutch society.

How are healthcare professionals involved in these initiatives?
Through an e-learning program developed by Jellinek and GGZ Ecademy, healthcare professionals receive specialized training to identify and address signs of gambling addiction in their patients and clients.

What educational materials are being provided to schools?
The Trimbos Institute’s “Helder op School” program will include new lesson plans, teaching materials, and scripts for parent evenings specifically designed to educate young people about the risks of gambling.

Why is the VVCS targeting professional footballers?
Professional footballers, particularly younger athletes, are considered a high-risk group due to their income, lifestyle, and pressures. The VVCS is expanding its outreach by providing tools, training, and peer mentorship to promote responsible behavior and prevent addiction.

What is Gamban and how is it used in the projects?
Gamban is software that blocks access to gambling websites and apps on a user’s device. It will be promoted by the VVCS as a preventive tool for players looking to limit their exposure to gambling.

How does Steffie.nl support people with low literacy or intellectual disabilities?
Steffie.nl provides simple, visual, and audio-supported modules that explain complex topics in a clear and accessible manner. The new gambling modules will help vulnerable users understand gambling risks, addiction, and self-assessment tools.

When will the Steffie.nl gambling modules be available?
The development is expected to be completed by autumn 2025. Once released, the modules will be freely available online for public access.

How does KSA monitor the impact of these awareness projects?
KSA collaborates with project partners to evaluate effectiveness, reach, and outcomes. These evaluations help refine future strategies and ensure resources are used efficiently to support gambling harm prevention.