Gambling for young adults under 24: rules, risks, and protection

In the Netherlands, you are allowed to gamble online from the age of eighteen. However, additional restrictions apply to young adults up to 24 years old. Since February 1, 2022, it has been prohibited to offer bonuses or promotions to this group. This measure is set out in the Advertising Code for Online Games of Chance. The goal is to prevent young brains from being stimulated into risky gaming behavior. Legal providers strictly verify age via iDIN. In case of problems, they link players to CRUKS.

Legal frameworks: age limits and the bonus ban

A strict legal framework applies to gambling for young adults under 24. This goes beyond the standard age limit of 18. Online games of chance are legal from the age of majority. The Kansspelautoriteit (Gaming Authority) actively protects this target group. This is done through advertising restrictions and a total ban on promotions such as welcome bonuses. These measures stem from the Remote Gambling Act. There is also self-regulation within the sector through the VNLOK. The primary goal is to prevent addiction risks among young, vulnerable players.

What does the Remote Gambling Act say?

The Remote Gambling Act entered into force on April 1, 2021. This law forms the legal basis for the legal online gambling offering in the Netherlands. Participating in online games of chance is permitted from the age of 18. However, the provider must have a license from the Kansspelautoriteit. Well-known parties such as Holland Casino Online, TOTO, Unibet, BetCity, 711 Casino, and GGPoker operate under this supervision. They are required to perform strict age checks.

Legal providers use advanced verification methods. These are often linked to iDEAL or DigiD. This is how they verify the identity and age of players. It is technically virtually impossible to bypass the age limit with fake data at licensed casinos. The Kansspelautoriteit strictly enforces these rules. In doing so, it reduces illegal offerings and protects young people from uncontrolled gaming behavior.

Why are young people no longer allowed to receive bonuses?

Since February 1, 2022, an explicit ban on bonuses for <24-year-olds has applied to all legal online providers. This ban is set out in the Advertising Code for Online Games of Chance. The VNLOK (Association of Online Gaming Providers) drafted this initiative. This was done in close coordination with the regulator's requirements. Young adults up to 24 years old are not eligible for free spins, free bets, or other welcome promotions.

The reason behind this ban on bonuses for <24-year-olds lies in neurological development. Experts point out that young adults are more susceptible to impulsive behavior. Bonuses lower the barrier to start playing with real money. By blocking these marketing tools, the VNLOK, together with the Kansspelautoriteit, aims to reduce the appeal of gambling to this risk group. Only from their 24th birthday are players allowed to receive full commercial offers again.

Will the minimum age be raised to 21?

There is an ongoing political debate about a possible minimum age increase to 21 for the most high-risk online gambling products. State Secretary for Legal Protection Teun Struycken has proposed new legislative amendments. He wants to better protect young people from the negative consequences of fast-cycle gambling. The Ministry of Justice and Security is investigating the distinction between low-risk products and high-risk forms. Low-risk products include, for example, the Staatsloterij and VriendenLoterij. High-risk forms are online casinos.

Opinion research shows that 79 percent of young people believe the age limit should be raised to 21. They believe they would then be better able to oversee the consequences. According to the Trimbos Institute, a uniform higher age limit would simplify enforcement. However, critics fear a shift to the illegal market. For now, the limit remains at 18, but with additional protective measures such as the bonus ban.

Risk factors: why young adults are vulnerable

Gambling for young adults under 24 carries specific risks. This is due to the combination of a brain that is still developing and aggressive marketing strategies. Statistically, this target group shows the highest percentage of risky gambling behavior. This directly leads to financial instability and mental health issues. Insight into these biological and psychological mechanisms is essential. Only then can preventive action be taken against gambling addiction.

The influence of the young brain on gambling behavior

Why are young people more susceptible to addiction than adults? The human brain develops until about the age of 25. The prefrontal cortex matures last. This part is responsible for impulse control and rational decision-making. The Trimbos Institute, a leading knowledge institute for mental health, emphasizes that young adults in this phase react more strongly to emotional stimuli than to logical consequences. This neurobiological fact makes them extra sensitive to the immediate rewards that gambling games offer.

Research by the Trimbos Institute shows that 18- to 20-year-olds are more likely to try to win back losses. They also wager money faster than they can afford. This impulsivity is further reinforced by influencer marketing. Certain influencers normalize gambling within social circles. Young brains are focused on short-term rewards. This social validation acts as a powerful trigger to start gambling. This happens despite the known risks of debt and mental health problems.

From loot boxes to real money gambling

How do loot boxes and FIFA (EA Sports FC) relate to the risk of gambling addiction? Many young people make their first acquaintance with chance mechanisms through gaming elements. Think of loot boxes in popular titles like FIFA (now EA Sports FC). Players pay for a random virtual reward. Psychologically, this mechanism is very similar to traditional gambling. Organizations such as Verslavingszorg Nederland (Addiction Care Netherlands) warn that these 'innocent' games lower the barrier to playing with real money later on.

The transition from gaming to online sports betting or digital slot machines is often gradual. Young people who get used to the excitement of uncertain outcomes in games find the step to regulated games of chance less significant. Kindercampus and other information agencies point out that this loophole ensures early exposure to gambling stimuli. This happens long before the legal age limit of 24 for bonuses plays a role. This normalization of chance mechanisms in leisure time constitutes a significant risk factor for the development of problematic gaming behavior.

High-risk products: sports betting and slots

Which games, such as online sports betting and digital slot machines, pose the greatest risk? Within the legal offering, online sports betting is classified as a high-risk product. This is due to the high frequency of bets and the illusion of control through sports knowledge. In addition, digital slot machines are known for their fast gameplay and visual stimuli. This leads to dissociative gaming behavior where time and money loss disappear from view.

For young adults under 24, these products are particularly dangerous. They are often linked to bonuses that lower the initial barrier. The Kansspelautoriteit banned bonuses for this age group as of February 1, 2022. Yet, the appeal of these games remains high. The combination of high availability on mobile devices and the direct link to bank accounts ensures that losses accumulate quickly. Without strict self-imposed limits, these high-risk products can lead to serious financial damage. Think of dipping into savings or taking on debt.

Enforcement and safety: legal versus illegal providers

For gambling for young adults under 24, the dividing line between legal and illegal platforms is the crucial safety mechanism. Legal providers are required to perform strict age verification via bank data. They must also link with CRUKS. These checks are missing in illegal offerings. Brands like Holland Casino, TOTO, Unibet, BetCity, and 711 Casino operate within this strict supervisory framework of the Kansspelautoriteit. This offers direct protection against addiction risks and financial fraud, which are prevalent on unregulated sites.

The danger of illegal offerings without age verification

The illegal offering operates outside the Dutch licensing system. It systematically ignores legal age limits. Legal parties are bound by the Remote Gambling Act. Illegal sites often do not apply any form of identity verification. Minors and young adults thus gain unhindered access. This absence of enforcement makes the use of fake IDs trivial. This stands in sharp contrast to the rigorous checks at licensed casinos.

Young people playing on these platforms run an increased risk. There is no link to central registers such as CRUKS. In the event of problematic gaming behavior, the possibility of automatic exclusion or intervention by the provider is therefore lacking. The Kansspelautoriteit actively tries to combat this illegal offering. Without public awareness, these risky environments remain accessible to the vulnerable target group under 24.

How do age verification and CRUKS work?

Age verification at legal providers is not just a form. It is a technical process linked to reliable sources such as iDIN. The identity and age of the player are verified directly via bank details. It is virtually impossible to bypass the age limit this way. This hard data link ensures that only players aged 18 and older can open an account.

Parallel to this, CRUKS (Central Register Exclusion Games of Chance) functions as a national safety net. Players can exclude themselves in this register. All licensed providers are then obliged to block access. For young adults, this double layer - technical verification and registration in CRUKS - is essential to temper impulsive behavior. Illegal sites do not have access to this register. Players there remain completely deprived of these protective measures.

Licensed providers and their responsibility

Licensed brands such as Holland Casino, TOTO, Unibet, BetCity, and 711 Casino bear a heavy social responsibility within the regulated market segment. These operators invest in advanced monitoring systems. These signal abnormal gaming behavior even before serious problems arise. Holland Casino, for example, has applied a policy since the start of legalization where players under 24 cannot claim bonuses. This removes commercial incentives for this risk group. International players like Unibet and BetCity also apply these restrictions. They integrate tools like Speelverantwoord (Responsible Play) to give players insight into their own behavior.

This proactive attitude fundamentally distinguishes legal providers from the wild west of the internet. By cooperating with addiction care agencies and strictly complying with the requirements of the Kansspelautoriteit, Holland Casino, TOTO, and other licensed parties create an environment. In this environment, gambling for young adults under 24 takes place within clear, monitored frameworks. This stands in direct contrast to illegal parties, where profit maximization often prevails over player protection.

Help and prevention: where to find support?

For young adults struggling with gambling for young adults under 24, fast, low-threshold help is essential. Organizations such as Loket Kansspel offer free and anonymous advice. AGOG offers specialized treatment for addiction. By recognizing signals in time and using tools like Speelverantwoord, young people and their environment can intervene effectively. This prevents financial or psychological damage from becoming irreparable.

Warning signs of problematic gambling behavior

Identifying a problem begins with breaking the normalization of gambling behavior. Research by the EenVandaag Opinion Panel shows that many young people are confronted with advertising daily. This lowers the barrier to start. A gambling addiction often does not manifest itself immediately in financial ruin, but in behavioral changes. Think of concealing gaming behavior, irritation when unable to play, or chasing losses.

Young people in the 18-24 age category are extra vulnerable because their brains are still developing. Emotional impulses override rational inhibitions. It is crucial to understand that gambling often starts as an 'innocent' pastime. However, it can escalate due to the dopamine triggers of online platforms. Parents and friends can spot abnormal behavior earlier. Although young adults are independent, the opinion of close relatives remains influential in signaling abnormal behavior.

Seeking professional help

When self-regulation fails, professional intervention is necessary. Loket Kansspel acts as the first point of contact. This organization provides 24/7 information and refers to specialized care if necessary. For more intensive treatment, AGOG (Altrecht GGZ) is a leading institution. They offer evidence-based therapies specifically aimed at gambling addiction.

In addition, Verslavingszorg Nederland (VZN) offers a broad network of regional assistance. These organizations work together to deliver customized care. This ranges from online coaching to clinical admissions. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but of self-insight. Young people can also turn to the Trimbos Institute for scientifically substantiated information about the risks of gambling. This helps in objectifying the problem. By taking these steps, you break the isolation that often accompanies addiction.

Limiting the role of advertising and influencers

The environment plays a major role in the development of gambling problems, partly due to aggressive marketing. The Advertising Code Committee strictly monitors influencer marketing. Agreements have been made not to target young people under 24 directly. Influencers with a substantial reach among minors are not allowed to do paid promotions for gambling providers.

Despite these rules, exposure remains high. Many young people come across gambling streams on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. There, the line between entertainment and advertising is blurry. Initiatives like Kindercampus focus on resilience and media literacy. This teaches young people to look critically at this content. By creating awareness about the commercial motives behind influencers, young adults can better resist the temptation. This way, they do not participate in trends that lead to risky gambling behavior.

About this article - Editorial standards

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst

Fact-checked by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming Compliance

Analyst Last updated: 2026-08-10.

This article about "gambling for young adults under 24" was written by Sarah Weber and fact-checked by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content in response to changes in regulations, licenses, and bonus terms. All references to licenses, regulators, and legislation link to public sources (the local gambling regulator, the applicable local gambling law).

About the author

8+ years of experience reviewing casinos, 200+ personally tested platforms within the EU and worldwide. Former member of the eCOGRA Player Advocacy Program (2018-2022). Specialization: wagering requirements, payout processes, and customer service evaluation.

About the reviewer

More than 12 years of experience in the iGaming industry, including 5 years as a compliance consultant for licensees in multiple regulated markets. PhD in economic mathematics. Focus areas: bonus mathematics, wagering analysis, and player protection systems.

Responsible gambling

Gambling can be addictive. If you feel you are losing control of your gaming, please contact the relevant gambling helpline or use the national self-exclusion register (the relevant national self-exclusion register). Set personal deposit and loss limits BEFORE playing with real money. Breaks and cooling-off tools from the provider are there to keep gaming manageable.

Legal notice

De informatie in dit artikel is uitsluitend bedoeld voor redactionele en vergelijkende doeleinden en vormt geen juridisch advies. Spelers zijn zelf verantwoordelijk voor het naleven van de lokale regelgeving.