Henry Meijdam has been elected as the new chairman of Van Kansspelen

Vice chair Aad Kobus will step up until a new chair is appointed.

Meijdam replaces interim chair Aad Kobus at the Dutch gambling association.

Following a general meeting of its members this week, Henry Meijdam has been appointed as the new chairman of the Dutch gambling association Van Kansspelen. He will officially assume the position tomorrow, April 1.

Henry Meijdam has held various political leadership positions, including as the mayor of Zaanstad and Lelystad, and as the deputy for the province of North Holland. Additionally, he has served as an advisor and director for numerous organizations and companies. Meijdam is taking over from Aad Kobus, who has been serving as interim chairman of Van Kansspelen.

Meijdam expressed his vision for his new role, saying, “As the new chairman, I am committed to working collaboratively with the members to address the important issues on their agenda. However, my first priority is to familiarize myself with the members and stakeholders. Our activities provide entertainment to many Dutch citizens, and we aim to continue doing so in a modern way that emphasizes responsible gaming and fun in equal measure.”

Aad Kobus expressed his confidence in Meijdam’s appointment, saying, “We have selected a seasoned director in Henry Meijdam as our new chairman. As a sector, we face numerous challenges in the fields of politics and entrepreneurship. With Henry’s extensive experience and background, we aim to increase the visibility of Van Kansspelen and best represent the sector.”

Following the launch of the regulated online gambling market in the Netherlands in October 2021, Van Kansspelen collaborated with another Dutch trade association, VNLOK, on a draft voluntary code of conduct. However, due to an anticipated ban on untargeted gambling advertisements in the Netherlands, the voluntary advertising code’s expiry date has been postponed to June 1, and operators are awaiting further updates.