Manipulative Practices on Legal Online Casino Websites in the Netherlands Identified
The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) commissioned a study on psychological manipulations used on legal online casino websites.
Study Goals and Methodology
The company Behavioural Insights Nederland examined 21 iGaming operators and 35 different games from September 2024 to February 2025. The study aimed to identify systematic use of techniques designed to make players spend more time and money than they initially intended.
The research showed that online operators, like other commercial platforms, use behavioral influence to guide user actions. These techniques can be both positive and negative:
- Positive influence: providing players with feedback on their gaming behavior and offering the option to take breaks.
- Negative influence: making high-stakes bets easier for new players, which is particularly risky for vulnerable users.
Main Manipulative Techniques Used by Operators
iGN highlights the following practices that operators use to increase player engagement:
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Pre-set high deposit and bet amounts | Players are offered large deposit amounts, encouraging them to spend more |
| Bonuses only for deposits above a minimum threshold | Creates pressure for players to deposit more money |
| Hiding information about minimum deposit amounts | Players are unaware of exact conditions, increasing the risk of unintended spending |
| Displaying only large wins | Creates an illusion of easy wins and encourages more play |
| Short-deadline tournaments | Exerts psychological pressure to participate quickly |
| Aggressive email pushes | Frequent promotions stimulate returning to the website |
| Live dealers | Create an emotional attachment to the game |
| Complicated account deletion | Makes it harder to stop playing |
| Autospins, minimum withdrawal thresholds, blocking withdrawals with bonuses | Violate the law and increase financial engagement |
KSA Recommendations and Actions
Researchers warned about “invisible” manipulations that are difficult to detect without analyzing large amounts of data. Based on the findings, KSA plans to:
- Inspect operators for negative behavioral influence.
- Develop stricter rules and guidelines to limit manipulative practices.
- Potentially introduce new recommendations for operators.
As Michel Groothuizen, Chairman of the KSA, noted: “This study helps us better understand how operators influence player behavior and allows us to curb harmful practices.”
Conclusions and Significance of the Study
The study demonstrated that operators use a wide range of techniques to retain players and increase betting, posing potential risks to vulnerable players. Moreover, some practices breach regulations, requiring KSA intervention.