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KSA Launches 3-Year Research Program on Addiction Prevention
By Shane Addinall Sep 28, 2022 IndustryThe Dutch gambling authority officially launched its research program as set out in its 3 spending targets for the country’s Addiction Prevention Fund. With a focus on preventing pathological gambling, the project will continue until 2025.As one of the youngest regulated markets in Europe, the Netherlands has countless resources on what works in the iGaming industry. This leverage forms part of its newest project, and the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) announced the lift-off for its Prevention of Gambling Addiction research program.
As announced in March 2021, before the Dutch market launch, the KSA bequeathed research duties to the government organisation ZonMw to uncover crucial prevention methods.
This project aligns with a target in the Addiction Prevention Fund (VpF) objectives, announced last year, and the 3-year program is key to making gambling safer for all.
Wheels in Motion
ZonMw already did the groundwork for the program through a research model commissioned by the organisation to Trimbos knowledge institute. The Kennissynthesis study mapped out which research findings are available and which areas of gambling harm require further discovery. ZonMw requested the information to prepare a better-focused study once the organisation starts research this year.
According to Trimbos, upcoming studies “should focus on the prevention of problems and harm caused by gambling, better treatment of people with gambling problems and tailor-made solutions for vulnerable groups.”
Trimbos points ZonMw’s research in the direction of physical and digital contexts of players' gambling behaviour and how inputs like marketing and certain game features affect these. The report, released in December 2021, was the first part of the research program that can now move forward to the next phase.
The research proposals from ZonMw include short and long-term projects to create a combination of results for the immediate and far-reaching impacts of gambling harm.
A Dutch Prevention Plan with Global Impact
When the Netherlands launched its regulated gambling industry under the renewed Gambling Act, country leaders proclaimed their wishes that the Dutch iGaming market must become a poster child for regulated gambling. The reality seems to be somewhat different when compared to their hopes, with the KSA chair, Rene Jansen, calling for player restrictions earlier this month.
A factor that could tip the scales for the Dutch jurisdiction might be the invaluable insights this study reveals because the prevention of gambling addiction is a worldwide challenge. As one of the 3 pillars of the government's Addiction Prevention Program, the research outcomes, along with the national prevention helpline and anonymous treatment scheme, could position the Netherlands in a leading position for protection practices against gambling harms.
Considering that ZonMw hits the ground running with a clear roadmap of study subjects to fill current gaps in gambling harm research, their discoveries may be the missing link in advanced addiction prevention programs globally.
KSA On Track
Regardless of regulatory challenges and updates in the past twelve months and the possibility of tightening laws as called for by Jansen, the KSA remains focused and diligent in its work to provide a safe gambling industry for Dutch players. With all three VpF goals in motion, the regulator takes one step closer to creating the gambling ecosystem it hopes for.
The outcomes of well-considered research studies have a ripple effect on the entire gambling market. Efficient regulation powered by the implementation of proven addiction prevention methodologies has the power to change the industry's reputation while boosting player experience to new levels.
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