Peter-Paul de Goeij, who has been at the helm of the Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA) since 2019, is set to step down from his director role effective 1 July. The announcement comes during a period of significant change and challenges within the Dutch gambling industry as NOGA seeks to adapt its strategy moving forward. NOGA revealed that De Goeij would be emigrating from the Netherlands, marking a significant transition for both the organization and its leader.
In the wake of De Goeij’s impending departure, Eric Konings will assume the position of interim director. Konings, who has been actively involved with NOGA since 2022, will be supported in his role by Frans van Steenis, former chief executive of Staatsloterij. NOGA’s board of directors, led by chairman Remko de Boer, expressed deep appreciation for De Goeij’s contributions. De Boer praised his transformative work, stating, “We are very grateful to Peter-Paul for his efforts over the past five years, in which he has excellently shaped the transformation from SpeelVerresponsible to NOGA. This has enabled NOGA to properly represent the interests of its members, in a tumultuous time for the industry.”
Reflecting on his tenure, De Goeij acknowledged the challenges and highlights experienced during his leadership, notably the opening of the Dutch online gaming market. “The past few years have been hectic, with the opening of the Dutch online gaming market as an absolute highlight. I am now stepping down, but I am convinced that the sector will continue to make efforts to provide a safe and responsible gaming offering. That is and remains the best way to achieve optimal consumer protection,” De Goeij remarked.
NOGA has indicated that De Goeij’s departure offers an opportunity for a “strategic reorientation” as the organization navigates through challenging times. The reorientation aims to address current challenges within the Netherlands’ sector and outline the future direction of the organization. Konings, in his interim role, expressed his commitment to collaborating with Van Steenis to shape this reorientation. He stated, “The industry is facing some major challenges in the current political and social climate, and I look forward to helping NOGA members achieve this. In addition, NOGA is explicitly considering how the representation of the industry’s interests can be organized in a future-proof manner.
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Van Steenis echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of clarity and cooperation among stakeholders in the gaming sector. “A lot is happening in the gaming sector at the moment. Licensed providers, policymakers, and society benefit from more clarity and better cooperation. I want to explore how bridges can be built between all those involved in the gambling dossier,” Van Steenis commented.
De Goeij’s exit coincides with a series of significant regulatory changes and proposals within the Netherlands’ gambling industry. Notably, untargeted advertising was banned in July 2023. This year, in April, the house voted to prohibit all online gambling advertising, a move that has stirred considerable debate and concern. The bill accompanying this ban included provisions to prohibit “high-risk gambling,” such as online slots. Despite the house vote, the fate of the legislation remains uncertain. The bill has been sent to the Netherlands minister for legal protection, Franc Weerwind, for review. However, Weerwind is expected to vacate his position soon due to impending governmental changes, adding further uncertainty to the situation.
Additionally, another controversial proposal in the Netherlands involves raising the gambling tax to 37.8%, spearheaded by a coalition of four political parties: PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB. The proposed tax hike aims to generate an additional €202 million annually for the state treasury through increased gambling tax contributions.
As the gambling sector in the Netherlands undergoes these transformative and tumultuous times, NOGA’s strategic reorientation, leadership changes, and the ongoing regulatory developments underscore a critical juncture for the industry. The coming months will undoubtedly be pivotal as all involved parties strive to navigate these challenges while ensuring a balanced and responsible gaming landscape. The new leadership at NOGA, bolstered by the strategic guidance of Konings and Van Steenis, will play a crucial role in steering the organization through this period of change.
