The Dutch gambling regulator has just announced a major organisational restructure. The new governance model will feature one full-time chairman and two part-time board members, as well as three directorates that will house various departments. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to support a strategic shift toward improved player protection and regulatory oversight standards.
Dutch Gaming Authority Announces Organisational Overhaul: A Quick Glance at the Key Points
- The new Executive Board will have a full-time chairman, who will coordinate with management boards and be the organisation’s primary point of contact. Michel Groothuizen, the current chairman of the board, will hold this position.
- Two part-time directors will report to the chairman, provide strategic assistance, and act as sparring partners with expertise in the fields of governance, digitisation, and integrity.
- The change aligns with the gambling authority’s strategy, focusing on player protection, digitisation, and data-backed oversight. It elevates the watchdog’s operational capabilities to match those of premier European gambling regulators.
New Executive Board to Take Charge on January 1, 2026
Starting January 1, 2026, the Dutch Gaming Authority Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) will operate under a new leadership structure. According to a KSA press release from Monday, December 22, the gambling watchdog is switching to a new governance model comprising one full-time chairman and two part-time directors.
The various departments will be housed under three directorates, and the changes align with the KSA’s goal of improving player protection standards. The regulator will focus on player protection, as well as digitisation and data-backed governance. It will be an essential step toward elevating the KSA’s status as a premier gambling regulator in Europe.
The Chairman of the Board, Michel Groothuizen, will retain his leadership position. Meanwhile, the KSA will appoint two part-time directors to assist the chairman in discharging his duties. They will act as sparring partners with expertise in the fields of digitisation, governance, and integrity. Details of the appointments will be announced at a later date.
The KSA’s primary responsibilities include licensing, oversight, and enforcement. With the rising influence of modern technology, such as artificial intelligence, it is becoming increasingly difficult to govern the online gambling sector. The gaming authority is proactively undertaking modernisation measures to tackle the menace of offshore gambling platforms and is intensifying foreign cooperation.
The KSA’s restructuring efforts have come in the wake of the government indefinitely postponing plans to privatise the state-owned Holland Casino and National Lottery earlier this year. However, declining year-on-year (YoY) revenue from land-based casino operations has compelled the authorities to reassess the situation.
Improved Organisational Structure to Streamline Operations and Improve Governance
The KSA will segregate operations into three departments, each under the supervision of eminent leaders. The chairman will be responsible for coordinating with the management boards and will be the primary point of contact for the Dutch Gaming Authority. The three directorates will be responsible for the organisation’s daily operations and management. The new structure is as follows:
- Permits & Supervision will start functioning on January 1 under the leadership of Ella Seijsene.
- Player Protection & Board Advice will operate from February 1 under Roos Lawant.
- Digitalisation, Analysis & Operation will be live on February 1 under the leadership of Daniël Palomo van Es.
Michel Groothuizen and Ella Seijsener will lead the Executive Board as Directors. They will jointly take on operational management with an emphasis on strategic management, performance analysis, oversight, and enforcement. Vice President Bernadette van Buchem, who has been a prominent member of the KSA since 2018, will exit the board, as her position is no longer available.
Chairman Michel Groothuizen will be the sole director until two part-time directors are appointed. This marks a significant step in the KSA’s history on its path toward modernisation. For potential operators, the message is loud and clear: regulatory oversight is becoming strategic, data-driven, and centralised.
The KSA has been strengthening the regulatory requirements for a while now. In September, the gambling watchdog introduced new mandates for licensed operators, requiring them to submit exit plans while applying for permits. In the interest of consumer protection, the government has also banned sports sponsorships. This will minimise gambling exposure, especially among minors and vulnerable individuals.