Kansspelautoriteit Identifies Key Markers of Risk in Online Gambling
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has leveraged pseudonymized player data to analyze indicators of risky gambling behavior. The findings from this research aim to compare licensed operators beyond just extreme financial losses, offering a broader perspective on player behavior and intervention effectiveness.

A Broader Approach to Risk Assessment
The study analyzed data from 2.6 million unique player accounts, covering the period from October 2023 to September 2024, with an average of 218,723 accounts per month.
Problem gambling is often associated with significant financial losses, but the Ksa’s analysis reveals that other factors, such as playing duration and behavioral shifts, play a crucial role in identifying at-risk players. The study found that while the median monthly loss per player was €35, the average loss was significantly higher at €137, indicating a small group of high-risk players. Additionally, 1% of accounts recorded losses exceeding €2,500 per month, which corresponds to the median net monthly income in the Netherlands.
Data-Driven Insights from the CDB
Licensed gambling operators in the Netherlands are required to store pseudonymized player and transaction data in a controlled data vault (CDB). The KSA utilized a year’s worth of this data to gain insights into player behavior, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions implemented by operators, and compare operators’ approaches to player protection.
The analysis excluded 49% of incidental players—defined as those who gambled fewer than five days per month and lost €300 or less—allowing for a more accurate comparison of operator performance. Among the non-incidental players, the median gambling frequency was 4 days per month, while the average was 7 days, with some individuals engaging in much more frequent play.
Key Indicators of Problematic Gambling
The study categorized risk indicators into several areas, including:
Gambling Intensity:
- 68% of players lost €100 or less monthly, while 6.4% lost more than €700.
- Players losing over €2,500 per month accounted for 43% of the gross gaming revenue (GGR).
Loss of Control:
- Frequent deposits were identified as a key indicator, with the median daily deposit count at 2, while the average stood at 3.6.
- A concerning 7% of players made 10 or more deposits in a single day, signaling potential loss of control.
Escalation of Gambling:
- The analysis tracked changes in behavior over time, noting an increase in gambling activity among at-risk players.
- Casino games were found to be more commonly played during nighttime compared to sports betting.
- However, nighttime sports betting, though less frequent, could serve as a stronger indicator of risky behavior.
- There were significant discrepancies in how operators reported and implemented responsible gambling interventions, with KSA emphasizing the need for uniform standards.
Regulatory Actions and Future Applications
Based on these findings, the Ksa is considering further regulatory measures to enhance player protection. The data revealed that new policy rules, effective from October 1, 2024, classify net deposits exceeding €700 per month (or €300 for young adults) as indicators of risky behavior. Operators are now expected to apply temporary deposit blocks unless players can justify their financial capacity.
The insights gained will help the KSA refine its supervision framework, focusing on identifying early warning signs of problem gambling and improving the consistency of operator interventions. Future plans include enhancing data collection methods and developing new indicators to better monitor and address gambling-related risks across the industry.