Netherlands bans footballers and celebrities from appearing in gambling adverts

The ban applies to all advertising of high-risk games of chance

Celebrities and former footballers are no longer allowed to appear in gambling advertisements in the Netherlands. As reported by NOS, Minister Franc Weerwind for Legal Protection amended the regulation on advertising to ban "all persons who enjoy some form of public fame or with whom people want to identify or associate themselves" from gambling ads in an attempt to protect vulnerable groups from addiction. The report adds that it includes former and current professional footballers, influencers, models, singers and others. The Gambling Authority will supervise and enforce the ban starting immediately.

Online gambling became legal in the Netherlands in October 2021

It comes after online gambling became legal in October 2021, and is another measure against in the increase in the amount of gambling adverts. "Role models can be an appealing image of a successful lifestyle that is especially attractive to young people. We have seen that role models in advertisements can have a pulling effect on getting people to start gambling or play for longer than is justified. To protect vulnerable groups and young people, in particular, I have banned the use of role models," Weerwind said.

Charity lotteries exempt from the ban

The ban reportedly applies to all advertising of high-risk games of chance, including online gambling, casinos and sports betting. However, charity lotteries, such as the state lottery and the lotto, are exempt from the ban because they are viewed as 'less risky' games of chance. Wesley Sneijder and former football manager Dick Advocaat recently became the face of online gambling ads on television and on billboards since the market was opened up.

• UK to ban gambling ads showing sports and reality TV stars
• Gambling Commission criticised in review into Football Index collapse
• Football Index Collapse – Clean Up Gambling director calls for government action