New research points to a sharp “birthday effect” as young adults enter the legal gambling market
A significant share of Dutch consumers appear to enter the regulated gambling market as soon as they reach the legal age, with the Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) finding that more than one in 10 gambling accounts opened by 18-year-olds were registered on their birthday.
The findings form part of three KSA studies examining gambling behaviour among minors and young adults in the Netherlands. Together, the reports point to gambling becoming increasingly familiar among younger people before they reach the legal age of 18.
A clear spike when consumers turn 18
KSA analysed 15,761 newly funded gambling accounts recorded between 1 and 7 May 2025.
Consumers aged between 18 and 24 accounted for around one-third of all new accounts. Within that group, newly turned 18-year-olds represented 41% of registrations.
The timing of those registrations was particularly striking.
During 2024 and 2025, 11% of gambling accounts opened by 18-year-olds were created on the users’ actual birthdays. A further 27% were opened during the following weeks, meaning 38% of accounts belonging to 18-year-olds were registered within a month of reaching legal gambling age.
The figures suggest that turning 18 can act as a significant trigger for entering the regulated online gambling market.
Casino games lead the way
Despite the strong connection between young adults and sports betting, casino products were by far the most common starting point.
KSA found that 72% of gambling accounts belonging to young adults began with casino games. Sports betting accounted for just 11% of initial registrations.
Once they began gambling, consumers aged 18 to 24 averaged four gambling days per month during their first three months.
Their typical spending was lower than that of older customers. The median daily stake among young adults was €111, compared with €209 for older age groups.
However, the pattern varied within the 18-24 category. Eighteen-year-olds tended to gamble more frequently while placing smaller stakes than consumers aged 19 to 24.
Different gambling habits emerge with age
The KSA research also identified differences depending on the type of gambling with which a customer initially registered.
Accounts that started with casino-only or sports-only products generally continued to show a preference for those categories, suggesting that the first gambling activity may play a role in shaping subsequent behaviour.
The findings provide regulators with a closer look at how newly eligible consumers enter the legal market and how their gambling habits develop during the first months of participation.
Concerns over gambling becoming normalised
The studies come amid wider concerns about the relationship between young people and gambling in the Netherlands.
KSA’s findings indicate that gambling may already be becoming socially normalised among some minors and young adults before they reach the legal age. The immediate jump in registrations once consumers turn 18 adds another layer to that concern.
Earlier this year, a representative of the Christian Democratic Party (CDA) called for the minimum age for online gambling to be increased from 18 to 24.
The latest KSA research could add further weight to the debate over whether the current age threshold provides sufficient protection for young adults, particularly given the concentration of new account registrations immediately after their 18th birthdays.
For Dutch regulators and policymakers, the challenge is therefore not only preventing underage gambling, but also understanding why so many young adults appear ready to enter the regulated market the moment they become legally eligible.