Dutch regulator appoints former MP as new chair
Michel Groothuizen to replace René Jansen from 1 July as he returns to gambling brief following role in establishing the KSA in the early 2010s
The Netherlands Gaming Authority (KSA) has confirmed former Dutch MP Michel Groothuizen as the regulator’s new chair, effective from 1 July.
Groothuizen will replace René Jansen in the summer, with the incumbent having announced in October he would be stepping back from the role in 2024.
Jansen, who became KSA chair in October 2018, was due to depart the regulator at the conclusion of his six-year term in October of this year, but has chosen to vacate the position early.
Groothuizen is the current deputy director general of the Judicial Institutions Service, having served in the role since May 2020.
He previously spent more than four years as general director of the Netherlands Institute for Forensic Psychiatry.
The former MP has past experience in the gambling sector, having been involved in the establishment of the KSA back in 2012 during his time with the Ministry of Justice and Security.
Speaking on his appointment, Groothuizen said: “Old love never dies. From 2007 onwards, as policy director, I was responsible, among other things, for the gambling dossier.
“One of my tasks was to establish the Gaming Authority. We succeeded in 2012. We had already been working on new legislation for a few years to manage online gambling offerings. It took almost 10 years before the law that was supposed to regulate this actually came into effect. I was long gone by then.
“But I think it is a wonderful challenge at this time to ensure safe gambling in a socially responsible manner and to combat negative consequences, such as gambling addiction,” he added.
Ric de Rooij, deputy secretary general of the Ministry of Justice and Security, said: “With Michel, the KSA will have a new manager with very broad administrative experience and knowledge of the subject in question.
“This is also necessary because developments surrounding gambling do not stand still and will continue to require attention. I look forward to working with Michel.”
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