Dutch trade body chief to step down after five years
Peter-Paul de Goeij will be replaced in the interim by Eric Konings as the Netherlands faces slew of regulatory headwinds in the coming months
The Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA) managing director, Peter-Paul de Goeij, will step down from his role on 1 July.
The former ZEAL exec first joined the trade body in July 2019 and will be replaced by NOGA’s former chair, Eric Konings, on an interim basis.
NOGA confirmed the transition was as a result of de Goeij’s plans to move abroad.
Konings, who served as NOGA chair from January 2018 to December 2021, previously spent more than nine years with Kindred Group and also sat on the board of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).
Since January 2022, he has worked with NOGA as a policy adviser, and will now step up to the top job with the trade body.
Konings will be supported former CEO of the Dutch Lottery, Frans van Steenis, in his new role.
The departure of de Goeij comes as the Netherlands potentially faces a series of significant changes to the gambling market.
Earlier this year, MPs voted through a blanket ban on online slots and advertising while the new right-wing coalition government in planning to push tax up to 37.8% from 30.5%.
Speaking on his decision to leave the trade body, de Goeij said: “The past few years have been hectic, with the opening of the Dutch online gambling market as the absolute highlight.
“I am stepping down now, but I am convinced the sector will continue to make efforts to ensure the game is safe and responsible. That is and remains the best way to achieve optimum consumer protection.
“I would like to thank the board of NOGA for the trust they have placed in me over the past five years and I am happy to hand over the baton to Eric.”
Konings added: “The industry is facing some major challenges in the current political and social climate, and I look forward to helping NOGA members with this.
“In addition, NOGA is explicitly orienting itself on how the representation of the interests of the industry can be organised in a future-proof way.”
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