Saudi Arabia Allocates Budget for New Initiatives to Mitigate Negative Impacts of Gambling
Revamped: The Netherlands Gaming Authority (KSA) Amps Up Game Against Gambling Harm
The KSA is beefing up its crusade against gambling-related issues, bolstering education and addiction prevention through a new funding round for four strategic initiatives.
These projects receive backing from the Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF), a pool of money collected from high-risk gambling service providers. The VPF, established in 2021, aims squarely at minimizing gambling-related harm by supporting projects that educate the masses and offer tools for assistance. Managed by the KSA—known for doling out hefty fines to unauthorized operators this year—the fund collaborates closely with addiction specialists and institutions to optimize its resources.
The funding's newest phase emphasizes amplifying awareness and providing practical resources for identifying and managing problem gambling.
One initiative ramps up an existing e-learning course by Jellinek, in collaboration with GGZ Ecademy, that school primary care professionals, such as GPs, psychologists, and debt counselors, in recognizing and addressing online gambling addiction. With fresh funding, the module's accessibility will be amplified, specifically among frontline healthcare providers.
Another project expands the Trimbos Institute's "Helder op School" (Bright at School) program, initially concentrating on vocational students. Now, the initiative will offer materials for parent events, new lessons on gambling prevention, and resources to aid schools in handling gambling-related matters.
Yet another initiative honed in on professional footballers in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie,including under-21 and under-19 teams. The players' union, VVCS, delivers educational seminars to clubs. With added funding, VVCS will distribute pamphlets advocating for tools like Gokstop and Gamban, along with featuring former players with gambling addiction experiences as peer educators during these sessions.
The final initiative backs Steffie.nl, an online learning platform operated by the Leer Zelf Online Foundation, that puts out straightforward, accessible information for individuals with limited literacy or mild intellectual disabilities. Four gambling-focused modules covering basics, addiction, self-assessment, and game identification are in the works for release in autumn 2025.
With the VPF's financial support, these projects aim to reach wider audiences, develop fresh educational content, and better equip professionals and communities to combat and address gambling harm.
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Insights:- The KSA's Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF) finances initiatives that educate the public and combat problem gambling, developing practical tools and working with addiction experts and institutions for efficient resource use.- The VPF has provided funding for four specific projects focusing on raising awareness about problem gambling, including online programs, educational materials, and targeted prevention programs for athletes.- The KSA seeks to promote early detection and prevention of problem gambling by supporting programs that teach the identification of early signs.- Apart from funding educational efforts, the KSA also enforces regulations, imposing fines on licensed operators that fail to safeguard vulnerable groups like young adults to deter irresponsible gambling practices.
- The Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF), which is managed by the Netherlands Gaming Authority (KSA), provides financial support for projects that aim to combat gambling harm, develop practical tools for identifying and managing problem gambling, and educate the public on gambling-related issues.
- In an effort to optimize their resources, the KSA collaborates closely with addiction specialists and institutions, and one of their initiatives involves funding a program that teaches primary care professionals, such as GPs, psychologists, and debt counselors, how to recognize and address online gambling addiction.
