Taboo on talking about gambling and gambling addiction

Shame and lack of information keep gambling problems hidden

For many people in the Netherlands, talking about gambling and gambling addiction is still difficult. More than half of Dutch people (56%) believe that there is a taboo surrounding this topic. This is according to research conducted by the Gaming Authority and the OpenOverGokken platform among 1,000 Dutch people.
 
 

Gambling behaviour in the Netherlands

Dutch people who gamble mainly do so through lotteries and scratch cards. Lotteries, including the Staatsloterij, are the most popular at 59 per cent, followed by scratch cards (33 per cent). Online gambling is also popular: almost 6 per cent of the adult population occasionally gambles online at a legal website, according to the Autumn 2025 Monitoring Report. On average, Dutch people spend €298 per year on gambling.

Although most Dutch people gamble recreationally, some players incur significant losses. Addiction figures show that there are people within the group of gamblers who are at extra risk, for whom timely detection and good access to help are important.

Uncertainty about help with gambling problems

Many Dutch people do not know where to turn for help with gambling problems. More than half (53%) do not know where to seek help. In addition, almost a third of people (29%) would not dare to ask for help if they had gambling problems themselves.

One possible reason for this is how people view gambling addiction. Three-quarters of Dutch people believe that gambling problems are mainly caused by poor choices made by the gambler themselves. This can lead to feelings of shame and guilt. Helping others also proves difficult. A third of Dutch people find it difficult to confront someone about their gambling behaviour. Men find this more difficult than women. Forty-one per cent of men find this conversation difficult, compared to 27 per cent of women.

Michel Groothuizen, Chair of the Board at the Gaming Authority: “Gambling addiction is not a personal failure, but a complex problem in which shame and a lack of knowledge prevent people from seeking help in good time. It is therefore important that we normalise the conversation around this issue and make it clear where reliable support can be found. The OpenOverGokken platform offers accessible information for anyone with questions about gambling, and supports visitors where necessary in finding appropriate help. By raising awareness and making information and support easier to find, intervention can take place sooner and serious consequences can be mitigated.”