Michel Groothuizen Joins GREF Board to Shape EU Standards

The European gambling industry is stepping into a new era of unified standards and cross-border cooperation.

This momentum has gained new force with the appointment of Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA), to the board of the Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF).

Groothuizen brings legal and regulatory expertise, alongside a personal mission to promote shared European oversight frameworks that ensure player protection and market fairness.

His new role positions the KSA at the heart of shaping minimum supervisory standards across the continent.

Michel Groothuizen Joins GREF Board: A New Chapter for Unified EU Gambling Oversight

Key Points:

• Michel Groothuizen Appointed GREF Board Member: He joins an elite team of European regulators shaping the future of EU gambling compliance and oversight.
• Focus on Minimum European Supervision Standards: Groothuizen’s mission is to foster collaboration to set common regulatory baselines across member states.
• Strengthening Cross-Border Regulatory Cohesion: The move boosts KSA’s role in harmonizing standards with bodies like France’s ANJ and Malta’s MGA.

A New Voice in European Gambling Oversight

The KSA’s Evolving European Role

On May 28, 2025, the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) announced that its chairman, Michel Groothuizen, has been unanimously appointed to the board of the Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF). His term as a general board member will span 2025 to 2027.

The GREF is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 to foster cooperation and idea exchange between Europe’s gambling regulators. It plays a pivotal role in aligning policy discussions, addressing emerging risks, and sharing supervisory best practices.

Groothuizen’s appointment marks a significant milestone for the KSA. The Dutch regulator has steadily grown in influence since the launch of the Remote Gambling Act in 2021, which opened the legal online gambling market in the Netherlands.

A Board of Heavyweights

Groothuizen joins an esteemed group of regulators on the GREF board, including:

• Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, Chair of both GREF and France’s Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ)
• Anders Dorph, Director, Danish Gambling Authority
• Tim Miller, Executive Director, UK Gambling Commission
• Sarah Kelly, General Counsel, Alderney Gambling Control Commission
• Kinga Warda, Chief Officer for Policy & International Affairs, Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
• Magali Clavie, President, Belgian Gaming Commission
• Atle Hamar, Director General, Norwegian Gaming Authority

This coalition of regulators represents the backbone of Europe’s gambling policy landscape, overseeing both large and emerging markets.

A Personal Mission with Continental Impact

In a public statement, Groothuizen shared his enthusiasm about joining GREF’s leadership. “This is a great opportunity to work together with fellow regulators on a safer and fairer European gambling market,” he wrote on LinkedIn. “Above all, I will try to achieve broadly supported minimum standards that set a floor in the market everywhere in Europe.”

His focus on unified minimum regulatory standards reflects growing calls across the EU for consistent consumer protections, transparent licensing frameworks, and more robust AML enforcement.

These standards would reduce friction for cross-border operators, prevent regulatory arbitrage, and strengthen Europe’s collective fight against gambling harm and financial crime.

A Track Record of Reform

Before joining the KSA, Groothuizen held the post of Deputy Director General at the Dutch Custodial Institutions Agency (DJI), where he focused on justice and public safety reforms. A legal professional with deep knowledge of governance, Groothuizen assumed leadership of the KSA in July 2023, following René Jansen’s departure.

Since then, he has prioritized improving the regulator’s supervision models, launching player protection tools, and boosting cooperation with international regulators.

His appointment to the GREF board now gives him a new platform to influence how European countries harmonize regulatory practices and tackle shared challenges such as:

• Inconsistent licensing criteria
• Cross-border advertising compliance
• Player protection enforcement
• Data and transparency requirements
• Black market suppression strategies

Toward a More Cohesive European Gambling Framework

Michel Groothuizen’s appointment to the GREF board represents a clear signal: the Netherlands is stepping into a leadership role in shaping Europe’s gambling future.

With his legal expertise and vision for cohesive regulation, Groothuizen is expected to be a strong advocate for common supervisory standards that protect players, ensure market integrity, and reduce regulatory fragmentation.

As regulators across Europe face mounting challenges from evolving technology, expanding digital markets, and cross-border betting activity, Groothuizen’s presence in GREF could help pave the way for smarter, safer, and more harmonized governance.

Ultimately, his term may prove pivotal in setting the tone for Europe’s next chapter of gambling regulation — one where collaboration and shared responsibility drive sustainable growth.