Anita Vegter appointed as Chair of the Advisory Board by KSA

The KSA has recently welcomed new members, with Vegter being appointed as the chair of the board responsible for overseeing the operations of the Dutch gambling regulator.

Anita Vegter has been appointed as the new chair of the Advisory Board for the Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), replacing Ronald Prins in this role, as announced by the KSA.

Vegter, a distinguished senior judge at the Court of Amsterdam and former director-general of the Administration of Justice and Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Justice and Security, brings a wealth of experience to her new role as chair of the KSA Advisory Board. In addition, Haiko van der Voort, an esteemed associate professor at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management at TU Delft, and director of the Engineering and Policy Analysis master’s programme, has also been appointed to the board, further strengthening the expertise and diversity of the KSA’s leadership team.

The KSA Advisory Board will continue to benefit from the expertise of Guda van Noort, a distinguished professor of New Media Technologies at the University of Amsterdam, and Marloes Kleinjan, a renowned professor of Youth Mental Health Promotion at Utrecht University, who will both remain as advisors. However, the tenures of Theo Schuyt, professor of Philanthropic Studies at the University of Amsterdam, and Han Moraal, general chairman of the Council for the Administration of Criminal Law and Youth Protection (RSJ), have come to an end.

Since 2014, the Advisory Board of the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has been entrusted with the important task of overseeing the operations of the regulator. The board has been instrumental in providing valuable advice, both solicited and unsolicited, on regulatory affairs and policy matters, contributing to the effective functioning of the KSA in its mission to regulate the gambling industry in the Netherlands.

René Jansen, the chairman of the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), expressed his appreciation for the expertise and contributions of the outgoing members of the Advisory Board. He acknowledged the wide range of knowledge and expertise that the board members brought to the table, which proved invaluable in guiding the KSA in fulfilling its regulatory responsibilities. Chairman Jansen conveyed his gratitude for their valuable contributions to the KSA’s mission.

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) recently took action against Winning Poker Network, issuing a cease-and-desist order for allegedly operating online gambling activities without a valid license, which is in violation of Dutch law. The KSA had initiated an investigation into the operator in September, leading to the enforcement action taken last month. This underscores the KSA’s commitment to regulating the online gambling industry in the Netherlands and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

According to the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), Winning Poker Network had reportedly informed the regulator that it would stop operating in the Netherlands. However, upon investigation, the KSA discovered that while the operator’s original site was no longer accessible in the Netherlands, Dutch players were still able to create accounts on another site operated by the same company. This finding indicates that the operator may still be offering online gambling services to Dutch players, despite claiming to have ceased operations in the country. The KSA remains vigilant in its efforts to ensure compliance with Dutch gambling laws and regulations.

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) is part of a collaborative effort among European gambling regulators to combat illegal gambling. By signing the joint statement of the Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF), the KSA has joined forces with other regulatory authorities in Europe to strengthen their collective efforts against illegal gambling activities. This collaborative approach reflects a shared commitment among European regulators to address the challenges posed by illegal gambling and enhance regulatory measures to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of the gambling industry across the continent.