New research from the Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) shows that gambling exposure often starts years before Dutch consumers can legally open an online betting account. That pattern becomes visible at age 18, with 11% of accounts belonging to 18-year-olds opened on their birthday.
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The KSA published three studies on August 20 covering young adult online gambling, MBO students and gambling exposure before age 18. Taken together, the research suggests that turning 18 often changes how young people gamble rather than introducing them to gambling for the first time.
Data from 15,761 newly funded online gambling accounts opened from May 1 to May 7, 2025 supports that finding. Players aged 18 to 24 represented 33% of new accounts, with newly turned 18-year-olds accounting for 41% of that group.
Among accounts belonging to 18-year-olds during 2024 and 2025, 11% opened on the player birthday and 38% opened within a month of turning 18.
Casino gambling dominated early activity. Some 72% of young adult accounts started with casino games, while 11% began with sports betting. Players averaged four gambling days per month during their first three months.
Spending remained lower than among older players. Young adults recorded a median daily stake of €111 compared with €209 among older adults. Within the younger group, 18-year-olds played more frequently but wagered less than players aged 19 to 24.
The findings also provide context for Dutch rules designed to keep minors away from licensed online gambling. An earlier KSA investigation published in April found that minors can only rarely create and use accounts directly with licensed operators. When underage gambling occurs online, access often comes through accounts belonging to adult relatives or friends.
The Youngworks study helps explain why account registrations rise around age 18. Researchers interviewed 50 people aged 16 to 21 and found that first exposure commonly occurred between ages eight and 12.
Scratchcards at Christmas, lotteries and informal family betting were common examples. Many participants did not view those activities as gambling at the time.
By ages 12 to 14, gambling became more independent and social. Young people reported poker with friends, football pools and other informal betting. Some minors also shared online accounts belonging to older friends or relatives and pooled payments through apps such as Tikkie.
TOTO, Bet365, BetCity and Unibet appeared among platforms mentioned by participants. Young people also reported seeing gambling advertising through TikTok, sports broadcasts and outdoor advertising.
A much larger study covering 29,724 MBO students aged 15 to 24 found a similar pattern. Around 32% had gambled during the previous year, including 28% of minors and 39% of adults.
Most played only once or several times a year. However, 10% gambled at least monthly. Scratchcards, bingo and slot machines were most common among minors, while adults more often played casino games, scratchcards and sports betting.
Around 2% showed indications of gambling-related harm, with online gambling and participation across several products linked to greater risk.
The KSA said the three studies will inform additional measures aimed at protecting minors and young adults. Work is already underway with the Dutch government through the multi-year gambling harm prevention agenda.