Does Online Gambling Reduce Problem Gambling?

The Netherlands Ministry of Justice has presented an extensive report to the national parliament which shows that legalizing online gambling would reduce instances of problem gambling.

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The Dutch report found that local participation in illegal online gambling has nearly doubled over the past five years, while participation in all other forms of gambling and the number of problem gamblers had both declined in the same period of time.

Six thousand Dutch citizens aged 16 and over were surveyed for the study, which was conducted in 2011 and followed on from an earlier study in 2005. It also included interviews with 500 regular gamblers and discussions with gambling experts.

The Netherlands is the latest European country to look at regulating its online gambling industry, after the government approved a preliminary plan to regulate and licence gaming companies last year, including online lottery, sports betting, poker and bingo.

Spain, Belgium and Italy have taken the lead on this issue in the last year, with the Spanish National Gambling Commission set to begin issuing its first round of licenses any day now. European Union regulations on removing barriers to foreign operators - and the obvious benefits of legalising - mean the Netherlands and other countries will surely follow.