Social Media Gambling Ads in the Netherlands Tarnish Industry Reputation

(AsiaGameHub) –   According to reports from the research outlet Phys.org, gambling firms licensed in the Netherlands are actively promoting their services to young adults via social media platforms.

By analyzing Meta’s advertising database, Dr Leon Y. Xiao identified a Facebook advertisement from the state-owned Holland Casino in early 2025. The statistics revealed that in under a week, the promotion reached 7,426 men and 9,704 women within the 18 to 24 age bracket.

Another marketing campaign targeted young women by utilizing the “Get Ready With Me” makeup trend, featuring the logo for the online casino WinnItt. This brand is managed by TOTO Online BV, which is a subsidiary of another state-run entity, Nederlandse Loterij.

Current Dutch gambling regulations require that all marketing efforts, for both digital and brick-and-mortar operators, must strictly avoid targeting individuals aged 18-24 on social media, as this demographic is viewed as particularly vulnerable.

While Phys noted these cases as “minority examples,” such infractions represent a significant blow to the reputation of the Netherlands’ licensed gambling sector.

Preventing these occurrences is vital, especially given the current climate where concerns regarding a growing illegal market are rising alongside increased political oversight from the new administration.

This past February, Claudia Van Bruggen, the Dutch Secretary for Legal Protections, assumed responsibility for a series of Remote Gaming Act reforms initiated by her predecessor, Teun Struycken, which she must now oversee.

Van Bruggen and her D66 party colleague, State Secretary of Finance Nathalie van Berkel, were recently called to account for consumer protection failures at Holland Casino—specifically an incident where individuals who had self-excluded were sent promotional materials during their cooling-off phase.

With the Dutch regulated industry facing constant public scrutiny, it is more important than ever for regulators and licensed businesses to cooperate to prove that their commitment to consumer responsibility remains a top priority.