KSA: Normalising Gambling Behaviour Leads to More Gamblers

Gambling seems to be becoming increasingly accepted in the society. A quarter of Dutch people (24%) indicate that people in their social circle consider gambling normal behaviour. Strikingly, men consider gambling normal more often than women: 32% (men) versus 16% (women). This normalisation leads to more people gambling, and it makes it more difficult for people who may not have their gambling behaviour under control to discuss it. This is evident from research conducted by the Netherlands Gambling Authority for the new OpenOverGokken platform among 1000 Dutch people.

Gambling as a social norm

Social environment plays a clear role in how the Dutch view gambling. For example, 43% say they would gamble less if no one around them did. However, 22% of respondents have people in their social circle who gamble.

When people talk about gambling, they primarily talk about success and winning. For example, one in five Dutch people (18%) say they regularly hear that gambling is a convenient way to make money quickly. This romanticisation of gambling is problematic because, on the other hand, there’s a belief that those who have gambling problems are to blame. For example, three-quarters of Dutch people (75%) see gambling problems as the result of making bad decisions.

Problems often remain invisible

For some Dutch people, gambling is not without consequences: 11% indicate that gambling has had a direct impact on work, studies, relationships or sleep. At the same time, gambling problems are not always recognised. For example, 76% of Dutch people estimate that you can’t see a gambling addiction in someone. This can contribute to problems going unnoticed for longer and piling up. Moreover, talking about gambling problems is taboo: almost three in ten respondents (29%) indicate that they wouldn’t dare ask for help if they themselves were addicted to gambling. Over a third of Dutch people (34%) find it difficult to confront someone about their gambling behaviour.

Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the Netherlands Gambling Authority, said: “Gambling problems rarely develop overnight and often remain under the radar for a long time. This is partly because gambling is often seen as normal behavior in the community. This can make it difficult to recognize when gambling becomes problematic, let alone to discuss it. As our previous research also showed, there is still a persistent taboo surrounding talking about gambling and gambling problems. As a result, people who experience gambling problems themselves often hesitate to ask for help. A first step can be to talk about it with someone you trust, such as a partner, family member, or friend. For those who feel that step is too daunting, it’s also possible to first seek information online in a relaxed atmosphere. The OpenOverGokken.nl platform offers independent information and helps people find appropriate support. As a regulator, we believe it’s our social responsibility to ensure that reliable information and support are accessible to everyone, and that no one has to face this alone.”

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