Dutch regulator partners ZonMw for new gambling addiction research

Under the arrangement, ZonMw will launch a research programme entitled the “Prevention of Gambling Addiction”, with the aim of helping the regulator tackle gambling-related harm among consumers in the country.

The program launched on 1 March, with a call for grants having been issued to researchers that work within prevention and treatment of gambling addiction, gambling-related harm and gambling problems.

Researchers have until 5 May to register for their grant and get involved with the programme.

The initiative forms part of the Addiction Prevention Fund, which was established as part of the Dutch Remote Gambling Act, which came into effect in April 2021 and marked the launch of the country’s online gambling market. 

Managed by KSA, the fund supports research on gambling-related problems across both the online and land-based areas, with the new initiative to cover the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction these areas.

KSA fines

The partnership comes after KSA last week issued over €26.0m in fines to five operators after ruling they breached rules by offering online gambling in the country without a licence.

Penalties were given to N1 Interactive, Videoslots, BetPoint Group, Probe Investments and Fairload Limited in December 2022, but were not published until 3 March after the operators asked the court to stop the fines being made public.

However, the court turned down the request earlier this week, allowing KSA to publish the details of each case in full. 

N1 Interactive was handed the largest fine of €12.6m for a repeated violation, having first been penalised in July 2021 for the same offence of operating without a licence in the country.