The Netherlands Gambling Authority is providing funding of €2 million to a new partnership aiming to reduce gambling addiction.
The Early Detection of Gambling Harm Partnership includes the Trimbos Institute, the Dutch Association of Addiction Specialists, the Municipal Health Service and the Dutch Debt Assistance Route.
The grant is provided by the Addiction Prevention Fund, which is financed by a levy on legal gambling providers in the Netherlands.
The new partnership is modelled on the Early Detection of Alcohol Problems Partnership which was established in 2019 and is credited with helping to reduce alcohol addiction in the Netherlands.
The Early Detection of Gambling Harm Partnership will facilitate knowledge exchange between regions and aims to strengthen collaboration between local practices, national partners and knowledge institutions.
“Many organisations have been working hard for years to reduce gambling harm, but often in isolation,” said Michel Groothuizen, chair of the Netherlands gambling authority Kansspelautoriteit.
“With this partnership, we permanently bring together knowledge, healthcare, debt counselling and local partners. This makes it easier to find help and players can get the support they need more quickly. This is an important step towards better consumer protection.”
It is estimated that approximately 209,000 people in the Netherlands are at high risk of gambling addiction, but only a small percentage seek treatment.