The Netherlands has confirmed a new government minister responsible for gambling policy.
Teun Struycken, the State Secretary for Legal Protection, will succeed Franc Weerwind, who has held the position since 2022.
Struycken’s New Social Contract party has strongly advocated for a ban on online gambling, emphasizing the need for strict enforcement due to the rise in problematic debts and crime.
The new Dutch government lacks an overall majority, with the NSC, the Farmers Movement, the People’s Party, and the Party for Freedom all influencing decisions.
Struycken will primarily oversee the completion of the review of the re-regulation of the Dutch online gambling market, initiated in October 2021.
Weerwind, Struycken’s predecessor, implemented new rules on deposit limits and affordability checks, which are scheduled to take effect in October.
The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has also formalized its new regulations in these areas.
The KSA is set for new leadership, with Michel Groothuizen replacing René Jansen. Groothuizen will deliver his first speech in this role at the iGB L!VE conference in Amsterdam in July.
