The Dutch Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF) finances three pilot projects in the context of information on the risks of gambling. This includes an update to e-learning for early detection of addiction problems, a guide on the Geldfit.nl website where people are informed about the risks of participating in gambling and where they can go for help when they have concerns on money and the provision of help materials to schools to identify and guide risky or problematic gambling behavior among young adults.
The money for these projects comes from the VPF, which was established in 2021 and is funded by an additional gambling levy on high-risk gaming providers. The Gaming Authority (Ksa) manages this fund and collaborates with the Ministries of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and Justice and Security (JenV) on the use of the funds. The VPF has several spending targets, including information on gambling risks.
Early identification of gambling problems in e-learning
As the online gambling market opened, the Jellinek addiction agency developed a digital training offer for professionals at the request of the Ministry of Youth to inform them about addiction problems in online gambling. This includes primary care professionals such as doctors, POH GGZ, psychologists and debt counselors. This way, they can identify a gambling addiction better and sooner. These training courses have not been further developed since then. Now Jellinek receives a budget from the VPF to upgrade e-learning and further promote awareness of training courses, to improve early diagnosis of addictions. For further active launch of the module, the focus will be on POH-GGZ and debt advisors. If e-learning is found not to scale well enough, means of communication will be found that better meet the information needs of frontline professionals.
money fit
Through Geldfit, people with questions and concerns about money get information about their situation. They find out what steps they can take. People can also call for a personal consultation. Gambling addiction can lead to serious financial problems. That's why an online guide is being developed around this specific topic, so that people can take control of their situation. The guide provides, among other things, information on the risks associated with participation in gambling. Where necessary, people are connected to appropriate help.
At game school
The Trimbos Institute offers schools a prevention program on topics such as smoking, alcohol, drugs and (excessive) gambling. This program, Helder op school, encourages young people to make the right healthy choices for themselves. Helder op School also focuses on the youth environment. Parents and school staff are supported in recognizing and limiting risky behaviors. The Trimbos Institute will develop materials to improve the identification and guidance of risky or problematic gaming behaviors among young adults. This will be provided to schools under the Helder op School programme.
All three projects mentioned above were realized through a collaboration between Ksa, VWS and JenV. The projects are implemented on a pilot basis. When the results are satisfactory, the financing can be extended.
