The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), also known as the Netherlands Gambling Authority, has recently announced the funding of six projects through the ZonMw Prevention of Gambling Addiction research program.
These projects are considered vital to the development of the Dutch government’s treatment, intervention and support of gambling addiction. The funding for these projects is provided by the Addiction Prevention Fund, which is managed by the KSA.
Gambling addiction can have severe consequences on individuals and their families. It is crucial to address this issue and provide effective prevention measures to minimize the harm caused by problem gambling. The KSA recognizes this importance and has allocated funds to support research projects focused on preventing and treating gambling addiction.
The ZonMw Prevention of Gambling Addiction research program is a long-term initiative that will run from 2022 to 2029. The program aims to address various aspects of gambling addiction, including prevention, treatment, intervention, and the characteristics and context of gambling. The recently funded projects will contribute to the program’s goals and advance our understanding of gambling addiction and its prevention.
The Awarded Projects are:
- Amsterdam UMC Projects
Amsterdam UMC has been awarded funding for two projects that focus on different aspects of gambling addiction. The first project, titled “Evaluation and Innovation of Effective CBT Treatment for Gambling: Stepping Up the Game, a Mixed Methods Study,” aims to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating gambling problems. This study will contribute to improving the existing treatment methods for gambling addiction.
- The second project from Amsterdam UMC, titled “What Makes Them Tick? Characteristics of Youth That Gamble, the Prevalence and Possible Gateways to (Harmful) Gambling,” aims to understand the demographic, cognitive, psychological and social factors that predict gambling problems among young adults in the Netherlands. This research will help identify risk factors and develop targeted prevention strategies.
- Trimbos Institute Projects
The Trimbos Institute has also received funding for two projects that focus on different aspects of gambling addiction prevention. The first project, titled “Developing and Testing the Effectiveness of Moti-4 for Gambling Problems in Youth,” aims to explore the effectiveness of Moti-4, a successful program for reducing smoking and gaming problems, in reducing gambling problems among young people. This project has the potential to provide valuable insights into effective prevention strategies for gambling addiction.
- The second project from the Trimbos Institute, titled “Applying the Gambling Harms Framework to the Netherlands: Developing Multiple Indicators to Support Assessment of Gambling Harms,” aims to improve the measurement of gambling-related harm indicators in the Netherlands. This research will help researchers, policymakers, and prevention organizations better understand and address the harms associated with gambling.
- University of Amsterdam Project
The University of Amsterdam’s project, titled “Exposure to and Consequences of Gambling Marketing Communication for Vulnerable Groups: A Multi-Method Approach,” aims to collect data on the exposure of vulnerable groups in the Netherlands to gambling advertisements. The research will analyze the impact of these advertisements and contribute to the development of targeted prevention strategies to protect vulnerable individuals from the harms of gambling.
- IVO Project
The IVO project, titled “Empowering Professionals: A Design Study to Develop Guidelines to Identify and Support At-Risk and Problem Gamblers,” aims to develop guidelines for professionals working in secondary vocational education, social (community) work, and debt assistance. These guidelines will provide information, advice, and tools to help professionals identify and support individuals at risk of or experiencing problem gambling. The project will also ensure appropriate referrals to specialized help services.
