In March 2021, the KSA appointed ZonMw as one of the selected groups to develop a program aimed at preventing and treating gambling addiction and related harms. This decision follows a study conducted by the Dutch knowledge institute Trimbos on gambling addiction in December 2021.
The program’s primary objective is to gather new knowledge on gambling addiction prevention and treatment, with the intention of developing new treatment measures. The first round of funding for research proposals is expected to be announced shortly. ZonMw is planning to support a combination of short-term and long-term projects, providing both immediate results and conducting in-depth studies on the harms caused by gambling.
Based on a report released by Trimbos, future research should focus on preventing gambling-related problems and harm, improving treatment for individuals with gambling addiction, and designing tailored solutions for vulnerable groups. The report also highlights the need to investigate the physical and digital context of gaming behavior, including the impact of advertising and the characteristics of gambling products. Additionally, the infrastructure within the research practice, especially considering the centralization of essential data within financially interested parties, is deemed deserving of significant attention.
The program is funded through the Addiction Prevention Fund, established under the Remote Gambling Act, which legalized online gaming in the Netherlands. This news aligns with the Dutch government’s efforts to strengthen the legal framework surrounding gambling activities. René Jansen, the chairperson of KSA, recently advocated for the implementation of gambling spending limits.
