Over 100,000 addicts signed up for voluntary 6-month long gambling ban

Over 100,000 people are currently registered for a self-imposed gambling ban with Cruks, the Netherlands Gambling Authority’s central register for exclusion from gambling. Casinos, gambling halls, and online casinos are not allowed to admit people on the Cruks register. A registration lasts at least six months, Trouw reports.

Every week, 300 to 500 people register on Cruks, half of whom are under 32. A growing number of people are opting for a gambling ban longer than six months, a spokesperson for the Netherlands Gambling Authority told the newspaper. After the period is up, people can deregister, with a cooling-off period to prevent impulsive actions.

The total number of people who have used the Cruks register since it was established in 2021 is unknown. When someone deregisters, their data is deleted. This is done to keep registration accessible. “People are afraid that registration could have consequences, for example, when taking out a mortgage,” the spokesperson said.

Registration with Cruks is voluntary, but people close to a gambler, like a partner or parent, can also register an addict for a gambling ban. This is only allowed if all other support options have failed and the gambler or their loved ones are experiencing harm due to the gambling.

Johan Dokter, a board member of the national self-help organization AGOG and an expert by experience, told NOS that he is not surprised by the number of Cruks registrations. “The number of gamblers is increasing, partly due to the legalization of online gambling in 2021,” he said. “More and more people are also joining self-help groups seeking help to quit gambling.”

He stressed that the gambling ban is not a solution but a tool, and addicts should also seek help, go to therapy, or join a support group. “That’s where recovery takes place.”