Dutch Consumer Group Backs Total Gambling Ad Ban

A Dutch consumer advocacy organisation has thrown its support behind proposals to completely prohibit online gambling advertising, citing new panel research that indicates strong backing from the public for stricter market controls.

According to figures released on 12 February 2026, more than four out of five surveyed participants favour a full ban on digital gambling ads. The same research panel also expressed concern about player protection standards, with a large majority calling for tighter rules against manipulative interface techniques used by online casino platforms.

Call for tougher duty-of-care enforcement

The group’s leadership said that removing advertising exposure should be only one part of a broader reform package. It argued that licensed operators’ duty-of-care obligations need to be more clearly defined and more forcefully enforced in practice, rather than relying on general principles.

It linked its position to the government’s coalition policy framework for 2026–2030, which outlines additional gambling reforms. These include stricter supervision of operator responsibilities, expanded action against unlicensed sites and a review of whether the number of available licences should be reduced.

Regulatory concerns over unintended effects

Not everyone in the oversight community agrees that a total ad ban will solve the core problem. The national gambling regulator’s chair recently suggested that illegal operators already account for a large share of gambling promotions and would likely continue advertising even if licensed brands are silenced.

This raises a policy dilemma: limiting visibility for regulated companies could reduce consumer exposure to safer, licensed options while doing little to curb offshore or illegal marketing.

Political backing for stricter controls

A senior Christian party leader who has long advocated tighter gambling rules said the consumer survey reflects growing dissatisfaction among voters with how the online market has developed since regulation began. She described the current system as having gone off course and urged firm corrective measures to better shield at-risk players.

The consumer group added that its stance is also informed by direct user complaints. Early responses gathered through its gambling-related claims initiative indicate substantial financial harm among participants, with average reported losses in the thousands of euros and some cases far higher.