SBC News NOGA ends Eric Konings interim assignment as 'strategic reorientation' ends

NOGA ends Eric Konings interim assignment as ‘strategic reorientation’ ends

Eric Konings has announced his forthcoming departure as Interim Director of NOGA, the Netherlands Online Gambling Association.

Writing on LinkedIn, Konings confirmed that he would be leaving the Dutch trade body during the first quarter of 2025.

The decision comes as NOGA’s board has progressed with its ‘strategic reorientation’, during which it will announce leadership changes and a new strategy to better promote and represent the interests of online gambling in the Netherlands.

Last summer, Konings was announced as Interim Director of NOGA, following the departure of Peter-Paul de Goeij, who ended his six-year tenure as Managing Director of the trade body.

During the transition period, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands Gambling Authority, announced a raft of new regulatory protections, including new deposit limits of €700 for player accounts over the age of 25, and a €300 deposit threshold for players under the age of 24.

KSA imposed further licensing duties on customer care operations, requiring operators to ensure one-to-one interactions with high-risk customers, as well as new controls for activating online slots, deemed the ‘highest risk segment’ for online gambling consumers.

“I will continue to work towards the objectives of NOGA for the remainder of my directorship, but for now, I would like to thank the board for the trust they have placed in me. Thank you, Remko, Sanna, and the rest of the board – it was truly an honour to represent you, and the other members, as director.”

Dutch gambling is set for further disruptions in 2025, as the four parties forming the Conservative Coalition government have agreed to increase taxes on gambling income from 34% to 38% by 2026.

The announcement of tax increases saw Tombola NL (Flutter Entertainment) and LiveScore Bet relinquish their Remote Gambling Act (KOA) licences, as the Dutch market was deemed non-viable.

Meanwhile, Nederlandse Loterij has demanded that lotteries be exempt from the tax increases, arguing that the changes would impact its ability to raise funds for social and national sports teams and associations.

Departing NOGA, Konings remarked: “The industry faces major political and administrative challenges. The legitimacy of the licensing system is increasingly under pressure, but I remain convinced that such a system is the best way to guarantee consumer protection. I am happy to help organisations navigate this situation.”

The next phase of KOA market reforms will be led by the new Legal Protections Minister, Teun Struycken, who will evaluate all proposals to modify and overhaul the KOA Act. This includes considerations for a complete ban on gambling advertising and the implementation of a universal loss limit for operators.

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